Scott Hend in contention in Euro PGA event

Scott Hend sits among a congested leaderboard heading into the final day of the Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur.

Easily the best-placed of the Australian contingent, Hend fired a third-round 67 that included eight birdies and three bogeys to finish three shots behind the leader Nacho Elvira.

Elvira increased his chances of securing a maiden European Tour title after closing his third round with back-to-back birdies to open up a two-shot lead at 13-under.

The 32-year-old began the day trailing halfway leader Thomas Pieters by a single shot, but he carded seven birdies and a single bogey at Saujana Golf and Country Club on Saturday to climb to the top of the leaderboard.

American David Lipsky was alone in second place on 11-under par, one shot clear of Maximilian Kieffer, Jazz Janewattananond and Hend.

Four-time major champion Ernie Els sat in a share of sixth place on nine under alongside Benjamin Hebert, who shot a 65 to tie the lowest round of the week so far.