Despite bogeying the last hole, the Englishman still held a commanding five-shot lead on 16-under-par 200 to put himself in prime position of celebrating his 38th birthday with a victory at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
Westwood was the world number one for 17 weeks before being replaced by Martin Kaymer in February and is in the running of regaining the top spot if he wins this week and Luke Donald does not in the United States.
Asian Tour rookie Park Hyun-bin of Korea, who has only one bogey (second round) in his campaign so far, fired a 70 to share second place with another newcomer Thitiphun Chuayprakong of Thailand on a 205 total in the inaugural event.
Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng fired a 69, courtesy of an eagle three on the 12th hole to lie in fourth place while Bangladeshi Siddikur, Filipino Antonio Lascuna and Thai duo Prom Meesawat and Thongchai Jaidee are a stroke back.
Westwood, who returned Saturday morning to complete two holes of the second round where he took a one-shot lead, said reverting to the conventional putter from the belly putter worked wonders for him as he shot two hat-tricks of birdies from holes one and nine.
“It feels much better using the conventional putter because every decent putt seems to go in and that made me more comfortable. I’ve been in this position before and I’ll try not to get ahead of myself,” said the Englishman, who has won over 30 titles in his stellar career.
Westwood said he was focused on winning the Indonesian Masters. “I’m here to win a tournament. World rankings seem to take care of themselves,” added Westwood, Europe’s number one in 2000 and 2009.
Little known Thitiphun, who won an event in China last week, admitted to feeling nervous but regained confidence when he sank a huge 18 feet birdie putt on the second hole.
“I kept to my game plan of not being too greedy. You can’t get birdies all the time. My putting has been excellent this week and that has been pulling my game up,” said the 18-year-old.
The ever smiling Thai, who earned his Asian Tour card at Qualifying School in Thailand earlier this year, was relishing the opportunity of playing with Westwood in the final round.
“You won’t get many opportunities of playing with one of the world’s best golfer. I’m really looking forward to it. It won’t be easy to win though because I think I’ll be very nervous,” added the Thai.
Park saved numerous pars in a round of two birdies and was delighted with his putting and accurate iron play.
“My putting has been very solid. I managed to save many pars. I wished I could make more birdies but overall, I’m happy with what I shot,” said the 24-year-old.
Ticket sales for the Indonesian Masters are available at www.ibudibjo.com where all proceeds will go towards Habitat for Humanity, which the event is partnering. The non-profit organisation builds homes for the underprivileged in Indonesia.
The Indonesian Masters is earmarked to become the country’s foremost golf championship, with plans to raise its prize fund and attract other international stars to Indonesia in the coming years.
Other sponsors of the Indonesian Masters include Four Seasons Hotel, Royale Jakarta Golf Club, PNTS, Garuda Indonesia, Mercedes-Benz, Coca Cola, San Miguel, Casillero del Diablo, Toshiba, Brava Radio and Yahoo!
All the latest news from the Indonesian Masters is also available on www.indonesianmasters.com. The Indonesian Masters will be broadcast “live” over four rounds to over 130 countries worldwide, reaching over 400 million homes via the Asian Tour’s television platform.
Leading third round scores
200 - Lee WESTWOOD (ENG) 68-66-66.
205 - Thitiphun CHUAYPRAKONG (THA) 68-68-69, Hyun-bin PARK (KOR) 67-68-70.
206 - Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 67-70-69.
207 - SIDDIKUR (BAN) 66-72-69, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 70-68-69, Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 67-70-70, Antonio LASCUNA (PHI) 67-70-70.
208 - Wen-tang LIN (TPE) 71-67-70, Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 69-68-71.
209 - Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 72-70-67, Marcus BOTH (AUS) 70-70-69.
210 - Pariya JUNHASAVASDIKUL (THA) 72-65-73, Shaaban HUSSIN (MAS) 68-67-75.
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