Golf: Bradley fades in Malaysia, Mickelson lurks

Golf: Bradley fades in Malaysia, Mickelson lurks

KUALA LUMPUR - Keegan Bradley crumbled in the Malaysian heat to shoot a 76 Saturday and drop to three shots off the pace, while fellow American Phil Mickelson recovered to stay in the hunt.

Bradley had seized a four-shot lead on day two of the CIMB Classic on Friday with pinpoint accurate shots in the US$7 million PGA Tour event in Malaysia.

With just one round left on the narrow Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club course, Ryan Moore returned to the top of the leaderboard Saturday, where he was joined by fellow American Chris Stroud.

The burly Moore was on fire in the opening holes, but a cold putter in the back nine saw his charge level out for a three-under 68 and 12-under 204.

Moore, who is seeking only his third title on the PGA Tour, holed birdies on the first, third, fifth, sixth, ninth, 10th and 14th holes, but dropped shots on the 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th.

Stroud, chasing his maiden PGA Tour victory, also suffered in the back nine, but managed a 68 to join Moore, the first-day leader, at the top of the field.

It is a tight leaderboard with Gary Woodland of the US and Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat on 11-under, while Jerry Kelly is a further shot back.

World number three Mickelson, who struggled with his swing in the earlier rounds, finally found some form with a 68 to lie five strokes off the lead on 209.

He moved up 14 places to be in with a sniff of the title going into Sunday's final round.

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