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Forsyth seeks first European Tour win

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 2 (UPI) -- Scotland's Alastair Forsyth will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Malaysian Open in search of his first European Tour title.

Forsyth built as much as a five-shot lead during Saturday's third round, but Spain's Ignacio Garrido closed the gap with two late birdies. And when Forsyth three-putted the final green for a round of 69, he had to settle for a 54-hole total of 16-under 197 and a two-shot advantage.

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He started the third round with a one-shot lead and extended that with birdies on the two par-5s on the front nine. A third birdie followed at the ninth hole.

"I'm obviously very pleased to be a couple of shots ahead," said Forsyth. "At one point I was five ahead, but it just shows how easily it can be turned around."

This is the first time Forsyth has led a European Tour event going into the final round.

"I have never been in this position before, so how I handle it I don't really know," he said. "I'm in a good position and if I play well I am going to be hard to beat."

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Garrido was alone in second after firing a 67 Saturday. He has won just once on the European circuit and that came in 1997 at the German Open.

A shot further back was another Spaniard, Miguel Angel Martin, who struggled with his driving in a round of 71, and Australian Stephen Leaney, who shot a 66.

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