Nacho Elvira's lead was reduced to a single shot early on day four of the Maybank Championship after playing partner Scott Hend made a fast start at Saujana Golf and Country Club.
The Spaniard came into the day with a two shot advantage - his first 54 hole lead on the European Tour - after finishing his third round with back to back birdies.
But he could not build on that momentum in the early stages on Sunday, carding pars at each of the first four holes to remain on 13 under par.
Australian Hend started the day three shots behind Elvira but holed his birdie putt from around four feet at the first to close the gap.
And he rolled in from a similar distance on the fourth for a second birdie of the day to get within one shot of the lead.
American David Lipsky also got to 12 under after making a birdie at the first but his challenge faded following a double bogey on the third and a bogey at the fourth.
Johannes Veerman and Jordan Smith made huge strides up the leaderboard on Sunday morning, with American Veerman firing four birdies in his first seven holes to sit three back, and Englishman Smith making six gains on his front nine to jump to nine under.
