The 43-year-old, whose last win on the tour was on home soil at the 2006 Singapore Masters, is in pole position to win the inaugural US$300,000 (S$377,160) Panasonic Open India title, after carding a blemish-free 3-under 69 at the Delhi Golf Club's Lodhi Course on Friday.
He opened up a three-shot lead over Anirban Lahiri of India. Another home favourite, Manav Jaini, is a further shot behind in third.
Lam Chih Bing, Singapore's other representative, spluttered with a 74 to end the third round on 217, to lie in joint-37th spot.
Recalling previous success in the country, Mardan said: "Yes, five years! It's been pretty long. This is where I won my first Asian Tour event (the 2004 Indian Open) and hopefully I'll do it again tomorrow.
" ... (But the) Delhi Golf Club is never easy. The fairways and greens are getting firmer, although everyone's playing the same conditions."
The event is the latest addition to the Asian Tour, with the top three qualifying for the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open championship in Japan this September.
In January, Mardan inked a three-year sponsorship deal with Yonex to use their clubs and other gear and he seems to be adjusting well to his new equipment, with the only blot on his scorecard after 54 holes a bogey on the par-4 10th in Thursday's second round.
Looking ahead to the final round on Saturday, Mardan said: "It's better to control what I can and be myself and not worry about others. That's my plan for tomorrow.
"I've been in this position so many times, so I should be able to handle myself."
ORIGINAL SOURCE
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