Taipei, Oct 18 (IANS): Thailand’s rising star Pavit Tangkamolprasert was on the brink of his fourth Asian Development Tour (ADT) title when he shot a second straight five-under-par 67 to grab the third round lead at the 15th ADT Chang Hwa Open here Saturday.
The talented Thai, who claimed two ADT victories within a month in August and September, nailed five birdies against a lone bogey to lead by one shot on nine-under-par 204 total at the $100,000 Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.
Ireland’s Niall Turner carded a 67 to sit in second place on 205 while England’s Grant Jackson, who also carded a 67, stayed three shots back in third place with overnight leader Lin Chien-bing of Chinese Taipei at the Chang Hwa Golf Club.
Local amateur Yu Chun-an signed for a 69 to share fifth place with Japan’s Mitsuhiko Hashizume on 209 at the Chang Hwa Open, which is returning onto the ADT schedule for the second straight year this season.
Defending champion Hung Chien-yao of Chinese Taipei finally put up a red number on the board when he posted a 68 to stay eight shots off the pace in tied-13th position.
Pavit, whose breakthrough victory came at the 2013 season-ending event in Jakarta held earlier in January, has enjoyed a splendid run this season where he claimed two victories and five top-five finishes.
"My tee shots were good and I hit good fairways and greens. The turning point came on the eighth hole where I hit my second shot from 130 yards to about three feet from the pin. I picked up some confidence from that hole and it got my game going," said the 25-year-old Thai.
"I’m definitely feeling excited about the final round Sunday but it’s going to be pretty much the same thing for me. I will just play my best and continue to enjoy my game out there," added Pavit.
Pavit sits in second place on the ADT merit rankings with a current haul of US$50,928, trailing leader Chan Shih-chang of Chinese Taipei by about US$16,000.
Should he win the 15th ADT Chang Hwa Open Sunday, he will walk away with a winner’s prize purse of $17,500 which will eventually propel him to the top of the Order of Merit.