MANILA, February 11, 2012 (AFP) - Singaporean veteran Mardan Mamat held onto a slender one-shot lead over a fast-charging Filipino teenager Miguel Tabuena after the third round of the $300,000 ICTSI Philippine Open on Saturday.
Mamat, chasing his third Asian Tour victory, holed several huge par saves en route to a battling two-under-par 70 at a wind-swept course to lead on seven-under-par 209 in Asia's oldest national Open.
His overnight three-shot lead was reduced by local favourite Tabuena's fine course record-equaling 67, while Korea's Mo Joong-kyung fired a 68 to trail by two on 211 with only the top-three players breaking par after 54 holes.
The 44-year-old Mamat, winless since 2006, did not play as smoothly as in the second round, but his putter came through as he carded four birdies against two bogeys to set up an intriguing battle of the ages with the 17-year-old.
"I was struggling with my irons and hit a lot of fliers," said Mamat after the round, "but I holed a lot of putts... Yesterday, I hit the ball good but didn't putt it good. Today, I didn't hit it good but putted good.
Of his contest with the Filipino youngster, Mamat said he was looking forward to it.
"He's a good potential. He's got a good swing and good guidance from Rick Gibson (his coach). He's certainly an upcoming Asian player."
The tenacious Tabuena closed the gap on Mamat with a glorious start, sinking four birdies in his opening six holes.
"I just told myself to stay patient," said Tabuena, who is bidding to become the third youngest winner on the Asian Tour, "It is really hard to make mistakes when you're in a zone."
With a contingent of 20 family members, and coach Gibson who also made the cut, in the gallery, Tabuena showed no fear despite his lack of experience, and said he would go all-out to win the Philippine Open on Sunday.
"I've got nothing to lose... I've been dreaming about winning this tournament for a long time. I just kept telling myself that I can win."
Leading scores (par 72):
209 - Mardan Mamat (SIN) 69-70-70
210 - Miguel Taubuena (PHI) 71-72-67
211 - Mo Joong-kyung (KOR) 72-71-68
216 - Hwang Inn-choon (KOR) 77-72-67, Ben Fox (USA) 69-73-74
217 - Azuma Yano (JPN) 69-75-73, Paul Donahoo (AUS) 71-72-74
218 - Berry Henson (USA) 73-73-72, Kim Gi-whan (KOR) 71-75-72, Marcus Both (AUS) 72-72-74, Thanyakon Khrongpha (THA) 70-74-74, Mars Pucay (PHI) 70-74-74, Danny Chia (MAS) 75-69-74, Adam Blyth (AUS) 73-70-75, Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 71-71-76
219 - Pasamet Pogamnerd (THA) 74-75-70, Joonas Granberg (FIN) 72-74-73, Wade Ormsby (AUS) 70-76-73, Rahil Gangjee (IND) 75-70-74, Arnond Vongvanij (THA) 73-72-74, Anthony Kang (USA) 69-75-75, Sam Cyr (USA) 71-72-76