Atwal fights off injury scare to share Myanmar lead

Indian golfer Arjun Atwal shrugged aside an early injury scare to earn a share of the third-round lead with American Edward Loar in the $200,000 Myanmar Open at Yangon Golf Club on Saturday.

Atwal, who needed treatment for a back spasm shortly before he teed off, fired a two-under-par 70 to finish at 10-under 206, level with Loar who also carded a 70 on the day.

The pair were one shot ahead of local player and former waiter Aung Win (72) while Thailand's Boonchu Ruangkit (68) and Thongchai Jaidee (69) were a further two strokes back in a tie for fourth.

"I hurt my back while stretching and couldn't breathe properly or turn my body," said Atwal, who has won three times on the Asian PGA Tour.

"It was a good thing the physio fixed me up in such a short time. It was a bit sore when I started playing but I could swing the club."

Superb iron play set the Indian up for short birdie putts at the first, third and fifth before he dropped his only shot of the day at the seventh.

He then earned himself several more birdie chances on the back nine but wasted all of them with some poor putting.

"I couldn't bury a putt after the turn. I need to roll it better tomorrow to have a chance and Edward is a good player," he said.

FINALLY CAUGHT

Texas-based Loar, a former Walker Cup player, moved into the outright lead by two after 13 holes but allowed Atwal to catch him as he dropped shots on 16 and at the last.

"It was a disappointing finish as I made some mistakes," said the American after mixing six birdies with four bogeys.

"My game plan tomorrow will be to hit fairways and greens but there are a lot of guys who are right in it."

"Being in the frame on Sunday is what we play for and it's exciting."

Win, bidding to become the first home winner of the Myanmar Open, had to battle back from three successive bogeys from the third to the fifth.

He managed to get back to level for the day but his sixth dropped shot of the round - at the par-four last -- after a wayward drive denied him a share of the lead.

"I was nervous and couldn't stop myself from dropping shots early in the round. But, on the back nine, I was more relaxed and kept telling myself to fight back," he said.

"I must control my emotions a bit better but the pressure is off as I'm no longer the leader. I need to shoot a 68 or 67 in the final round to have a chance of winning. I think it's within me to shoot that number."