China’s Liang Wen-chong yesterday carded a bogey-free four-under-par 68 in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters to move him up the ranks to lead going into the final round.
Liang ended the third round one shot ahead of Malaysia’s Danny Chia with a five-under-par 211 total at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club’s Tamsui course in New Taipei City.
Despite a solid round, the 36-year-old — who is playing in the tournament for the first time — has downplayed his chances of grabbing the title.
“I don’t want to think so much about tomorrow,” Liang said. “It’s hard to say, because anything can happen.”
“This is a very special golf course,” he added. “The conditions can be different every day.”
Liang is the only golfer from China to have placed among the top 100 in the Official World Golf Ranking, but has since slipped to 227th.
Chia, who is the highest ranked golfer from Malaysia on the ranking, maintained second place, despite getting off to a rough start.
“It was a bit of a struggle for me out there,” said the 42-year-old, who carded four birdies against five bogeys.
Meanwhile, overnight leader Rashid Khan of India fell behind to finish in third, but is not discouraged for today’s final round.
“I am only two shots back, so I think I still have a chance tomorrow,” 24-year-old Khan said.
Yeh Wei-tze leads Taiwan’s contingent at the tournament tied for fifth after carding a one-over-par 73 to finish with a one-over 217 total.
Sung Mao-chang matched Liang’s 68, the lowest carded on the day, for a two-over-par 218 total to tie for ninth place along with compatriot Hung Chien-yao, while Pan Cheng-tsung finished tied for 12th place at three-over 219 and Lu Wei-chih tied for 15th with a four-over 220.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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