Home favourite Miguel Tabuena thrilled the galleries with a seven-under-par 65 on Saturday to move into a three-way share of the lead at the International Series Philippines, while South Africa’s Dean Burmester remains in the hunt heading into the final round.
Tabuena, who aced the 8th hole on Friday, added two eagles and three birdies in a sparkling third round to reach 17 under par alongside overnight leader Sarit Suwannarut of Thailand, who carded a 69, and China’s Sampson Zheng, who surged with a 10-under 62, the lowest round of the day.
Burmester matched the leaders’ score with a bogey-free 65 to reach 14 under par and a tie for fifth with Japan’s Kazuki Higa (68). Burmester, seeking a second top-10 finish on the Asian Tour this season, will aim to close the gap in Sunday’s final round.
Compatriot Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, carded a three-under 69 to move to 10 under par, while fellow Major winners Patrick Reed (71) and Dustin Johnson (68) remained further adrift.
The trio will form the final group on Sunday, but it is Tabuena who carries local hopes of victory at Sta. Elena Golf Club in this US$2-million Asian Tour event.
“It was crazy out there,” Tabuena said after his second successive 65. “I haven’t played in front of that many people in a long time. It’s special to be doing this at home.”
Zheng fired eight birdies and an eagle to charge from seven shots back, while Suwannarut, who began the day four clear, lost ground after two bogeys.
“The driver wasn’t as sharp and the pins were tougher today,” said the Thai, whose 69 kept him in the mix.
Japan’s Yosuke Asaji sits one stroke off the pace on 16-under-par after a back-nine surge of seven birdies for a 65.
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© AFP
Photo: Jason Butler/Getty Images
Article Link: Three share lead in Philippines, Burmester three back