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Oh leads from Lu Wen-teh at damp Taiwan Masters

South Korea's Ted Oh hung on to a narrow one-stroke lead at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters with local star Lu Wen-teh in hot pursuit after the third round yesterday.

Oh, who finished third last year, was even-par for the day as he edged ahead thanks to a five-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole.

With a three-day total of five-under-par 211, Oh has a one-stroke cushion over two-time tournament winner Lu, who posted a bogey-free 69 at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.

Local player Hsu Mong-nan was in third position after a 69, four strokes off the lead, while Chen Yuan-chi, who finished runner-up in 2004, was pleased with his 71, which leaves him in fourth place.

Australia's Terry Pilkadaris, ranked 27th on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit, moved up to tied fifth spot after a 71 alongside Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng, who endured a nervy finish, firing the same score for a 217 total.

Oh, 31, who has played consistent golf at the tournament, was unable to find his rhythm in the third round, firing three birdies against an equal number of bogeys but he was pleased to take a one-stroke lead into today's final round.

"I didn't play very well today. I was getting frustrated as my game wasn't flowing. I don't know what it is but I am not really happy with my round today. In saying that, to make even-par on a day like this is not too bad but I was pleased with my birdie putt on the 18th hole. That was a nice finish," Oh said.

Lu, with two Asian Tour titles under his belt, held his game together despite the showers on his home course, firing birdies on the fourth, seventh and 15th holes.

"My game was quite average without anything really spectacular but I played it one stroke at a time, which helped me produce a good score today," said Lu, who lifted the title in 1994 and 1996.

A group of six players are tied in seventh place. Taiwan's Lin Wen-tang and Wang Ter-chang fired matching 70s for a 218 total, while compatriot Lu Wei-chih was even-par for the day. Australia's Gary Simpson hit a 75 and his compatriot, Ashley Hall, carded a 71, while Malaysia's Iain Steel posted his second straight 73.

Defending champion Gaurav Ghei of India shot a 75. He is in joint 41st spot with a total of 225.
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