November 17, 2007 – Shiv Kapur will set out in the final round of the UBS Hong Kong Open hoping to make a “ton of birdies” to put pressure on leader Robert Karlsson.

The Indian star continued his impressive form at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling with a five-under-par 65 on Saturday to stand at 11-under 199 for the tournament.

That put in him joint third position, five shots behind Karlsson. “I’m happy as my form is good since the Singapore Open,” said Kapur.

“This golf course suits my game pretty well so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

Kapur mastered the greens on Fanling’s par-70 Championship Course to stay among the chasing pack.

“I think I’ve putted better,” he said. “I’ve been struggling with my putting the last couple of weeks. I’ve been hitting good shots but my putting has let me down. The last two days, however, have been great.

“I think my caddie has done a great job reading the greens. He’s been with me for 15 years now and I brought him all the way from India.

“I hope to make a ton of birdies tomorrow. Robert Karlsson isn’t doing us any favours but we’ll see what happens.”

Karlsson leads the UBS Hong Kong Open after a 66 on Saturday moved him to 16-under 194 for the tournament, four shots clear of former champion Miguel Angel Jiménez of Spain, who also had a 66.

Kapur is in a group of four players – the others being Korea’s KJ Choi (65), Swede Peter Hanson (65) and Australia’s Marcus Fraser (64) – a shot further back.

Kapur is considered one of the rising stars of the Asian Tour. After a stellar amateur career which included winning the golf individual gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games, he was named Rookie of the Year in 2005.

The 25-year-old said he was learning to be more patient out on the course. “This year has been a roller coaster but you’ve got to keep your head up,” he said.

“I’ve learnt to be more patient under new conditions. You’re never out of it and you have to keep at it. A lot of times the winning score is never what you expect it to be.”