Tamsui: Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines charged into a one-shot lead after shooting a two-under-par 70 in the third round of the US$800,000 (approximately 27 million baht) Mercuries Taiwan Masters yesterday.
Pagunsan, the first Filipino to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2011, totalled eight-under 208 to hold a narrow edge over Malaysia's Gavin Green at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.
Green stayed in the hunt for his first Asian Tour title after shooting a 71 and stay within striking distance of his playing partner Pagunsan. Keith Horne of South Africa was a further two shots back following a 72.
Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe posted a superb 66, the day's lowest round, in windy conditions to tie in fourth place alongside Thailand's Danthai Boonma and Malaysia's Ben Leong, who both carded matching 71s.
Pagunsan birdied the opening hole before adding two birdies against one bogey on his homeward nine to put himself in prime position for ending a 10-year title drought.
He is enjoying a good season so far highlighted by a runner-up result in Singapore earlier this year. He also has two other top-five results.
"I'm very happy because I hit the ball so well. Yes, the birdie on the first hole was the key to my solid round. It was very close," said Pagunsan.
"I'm feeling confident and I'm looking forward to playing well. It is a ball game so anything can happen tomorrow. You know this course is difficult. You can lead by five shots and it still won't be safe. So you can't take anything for granted."
Green, who co-led with Pagunsan after two rounds, birdied three out of four par fives but slipped back when an errand tee shot on the par-four 14th hole resulted in a double bogey.
"It was quite solid overall from tee to green. I hit it good and gave myself a lot of looks but missed some putts. I can't complain because I also made a few good saves," said Green, who hopes to do well today to honour his late grandfather who passed away from a heart attack a few hours after he finished second in Korea two weeks ago.
