TAIPEI, October 8, 2011 (AFP) - Taiwan's Chan Shih-chang held on to the lead with a battling two-under-par 70 in the third round of the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship (TPC) on Saturday.
Chan, who shared the overnight lead with Malaysia's Khor Kheng Hwai, signed for a three-day total of seven-under-par 209 to take a two-shot lead over compatriot Lu Wen-teh at the US$300,000 Asian Tour event.
Mars Pucay of the Philippines added a 71 to his previous rounds of 70 and 71 to take third place while Khor played through cramp to post a 74, securing fourth place at the Linkou International Golf Club.
Chan opened with a birdie on the par-five first. And despite the strong winds blowing many players off course, he also birdied the 10th and 13th.
"It was hard to control the movement of the ball with the strong winds. They were going all over the place today but I'm happy that I managed to hold on to my lead going into the final round tomorrow," he said.
Lu, a five-time Asian Tour winner, was also forced to adjust his strategy due to the wind.
"It was not easy today especially with these conditions," said the 48-year-old veteran.
He began his outward nine with two bogeys and a birdie, but coped better on the home run, with birdies on the 12th and 16th holes.
"I got used to the playing conditions at the back-nine and made adjustments to my shots which certainly helped," said Lu.
Pucay kept up his charge for a maiden Asian Tour title. But he was left to rue a birdie miss on the 16th hole, which would have taken him to five-under, after his putt missed the cup by only a few inches.
"That was a really long putt and it was a pity that it just missed the cup by a bit. But to be able to shoot under-par on a day like this is good," said Pucay.
Khor, who suffered cramp in his right leg, said he could barely walk after hitting his first tee shot, and he could be seen limping on the course.
He birdied his first two holes but finished four shots adrift of the lead with 18 holes left to play in the final round.
"I'm really proud of myself. It's not so much about my game today but it's more about the way I conducted myself. I told myself never to give up and I'm glad that I managed to finish all 18 holes today," he said.
Leading scores after the third round of the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship on Saturday:
209 - Chan Shih-chang (TPE) 72-67-70.
211 - Lu Wen-teh (TPE) 70-70-71.
212 - Mars Pucay (PHI) 70-71-71.
213 - Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS) 71-68-74.
214 - Lin Wen-hong (TPE) 74-69-71, Lu Wei-chih (TPE) 70-73-71.
215 - Adam Groom (AUS) 71-73-71, Hsieh Tung-shu (TPE) 72-70-73, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 69-71-75.
216 - Chen Hao-sen (TPE) 69-72-75.