The ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth delivered on its promise of drama as an action packed Saturday afternoon unfolded at Lake Karrinyup Country Club.

Defending champion Brett Rumford and Lee Westwood cruised into the third round tied for the lead but the pair found trouble at every turn as they each posted 6-over 78 to tumble down the leaderboard and end their tournaments.

“It was a tiring day, I just didn’t play well…I just didn’t control my golf ball as well as I should have done,” said Rumford.

His playing partner for three days, Westwood added, “Not a lot went my way.  Disappointing, but that’s how it goes sometimes. I think it’s a good format, very exciting. I like it.”

Enjoying a far better day on course, Thai player Prom Meesawat fired 5-under 67 to claim the top seed and a first round bye.

“I’m very happy to finish first, but still a lot of golf for tomorrow and I think it’s going to be good fun,” said Meesawat.

“I’ve got a good chance. In match play, everything can happen. Like last year, the last guy got in and he just knocked out everyone to get to the final.  So you never know.

“I’m going to try to be like Rummy, he finished first and then won the tournament, so that’s my goal.”

Joining Meesawat with a bye through to the second round are the top-8 seeds; Sean Crocker (USA), Lucas Herbert (AUS), Thorbjorn Olesen (DNK), Dimitrios Papadatos (AUS), Brad Kennedy (AUS), Yusaku Miyazato (JPN) and Sam Horsfield (ENG).

While usually the top end of the leaderboard commands all the attention on the Saturday of a golf tournament, at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth the drama unfolded further back as players vied to make the top-24.

At the end of 54  holes nine players were tied at 5-under the card, needing to playoff for the final eight places for Sunday’s match play.

Making par on the first playoff hole, Callan O’Reilly (AUS), Stephen Leaney (AUS), Poom Saksansin (THA), Satoshi Kodaira (JPN), Yi-keun Chang (KOR), Andrea Pavan (ITA) and Zander Lombard (RSA) all advanced.

However Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) and Anthony Quayle (AUS) both made bogey sending them back to the tee to playoff for the final position.

It took an extra three trips down the 18^th for Aphibarnrat to claim the spot with a par while Quayle made bogey.

The other highlight of the day belonged to West Australian amateur Min Woo Lee who progressed to the match play as the 11^th seed.

To view all 24 players who advanced to the six hole match play portion of the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth please visit pga.org.au.

The match play draw will be made available at pga.org.au by 9pm AWST.