Friends Lahiri and Chikka share lead in Macau

India's Anirban Lahiri and his friend Chikkarangappa S. set up an intriguing final day shootout after edging one shot ahead of the chasing pack in the third round of the Venetian Macao Open on Saturday.

The pair carded matching two-under-par 69s at the Macau Golf and Country Club to jointly lead the $1.1 million Asian Tour tournament on 10-under-par 203.

Thai trio Rattanon Wannasrichan (65), Pavit Tangkamolprasert (68), Sutijet Kooratanapisan (70), Spaniard Carlos Pigem (69) and India's Rashid Khan (66) were clustered a stroke back while another Thai, Chapchai Nirat, battled to a 69 to lie two off the pace.

England's Ian Poulter fought to a level par 71, leaving himself five shots back and with an outside chance for a win in his first tournament after a four-month injury layoff.

Lahiri, 29, is reigning Asian Tour number one while the 23-year-old Chikkarangappa, who turned pro in 2013, is bidding for a maiden Tour title.

"It'll be tough. Chikka is a fierce competitor, I know it. It'll be good to battle it out with him. But it's not just me and him as there are so many guys in it," Lahiri, who won in Macau in 2014, said on the Asian Tour website. 

"You can't rule anyone out," he added.

Chikkarangappa said he was looking forward to Sunday.

"It'll be a dream to play with Anirban. It's been a long time since we last played competitive golf together. We'll have a blast," he said.

Leading scores after third round at the par 71 Macau GCC course:

203 - Anirban Lahiri (IND) 66-68-69, Chikkarangappa S. (IND) 69-65-69

204 - Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA) 68-71-65, Rashid Khan (IND) 69-69-66, Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) 69-67-68, Carlos Pigem (ESP) 64-71-69, Sutijet Kooratanapison (THA) 68-66-70

205 - Chapchai Nirat (THA) 65-71-69

206 - Chan Shih-chang (TPE) 71-69-66, Miguel Tabuena (PHI) 67-69-70, Kalem Richardson (AUS) 67-67-72

207 - Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 71-67-69, Rahil Gangjee (IND) 68-69-70

208 - Pariya Junhasavasdikul (THA) 71-70-67, Alex Cejka (GER) 68-73-67, Javi Colomo (ESP) 70-68-70, Ian Poulter (ENG) 64-73-71

Source: AFP