Welsh rookie Davies relishing opportunity to claim first Tour title in Malaysia

RISING Welsh star Rhys Davies remains on course for a maiden career title today at the Maybank Malaysian Open after yesterday earning a share of a one-shot lead alongside Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat at the top of a congested third round leaderboard.

The Challenge Tour graduate, 24, carded a one-under-par 71 to join fast finishing 20-year-old Kiradech, who birdied three of his final four holes of a 68, at 11 under following another energy-sapping day at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.

Veteran trio KJ Choi (69), Soren Hansen (69) and in-form Asian No.1 Thongchai Jaidee (69) head the chasing pack alongside 18-year-old South Korean Noh Seung-yul (67) with Alejandro Canizares (71) and Johan Edfors (69) just a shot further adrift and Ignacio Garrido (71) rounding out the tight top ten at eight under.

"It's good pressure to be up there. If I shoot the best score then I win, that's a good thing," said world No. 135 Davies. "There are a number of great players up there, so it is up to me to worry about my own game and try not to worry about them. If I score lower than them then I will come out on top."

Of the six Scots in the field, only three made the cut. Stephen Gallacher fell back to level par after a 75 and shares 44th place, among others, with Steven O'Hara, who carded a 71. Ross Bain is struggling in 74th after a round of 76 left him five over.

Scotland's teenagers won the Boys' Quadrangular title in France despite a final day loss to Italy at the Chiberta club.

Stuart Wilson's side, who had beaten France and defending champions Sweden in their opening two ties, went down 5-4 to the Italians but pipped their opponents to the crown with a better overall points tally from three matches.