Thaworn leads Mercuries Taiwan Masters

BY iseekgolf.com | Asian Tour | 2004 Mercuries Taiwan Masters | Round Three | 18 Sep 2004

Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant scrambled to a one-under-par 71 to extend his overnight lead to two strokes after the third round of the US$390,000 Mercuries Taiwan Masters today.

Thaworn was well off the mark with his drives at Taiwan Golf and Country Club’s Tamsui Course, shooting four birdies against three bogeys. He had to save four pars to give himself a cushion over Chris Williams of South Africa, who also carded a 71.

Chinese Taipei’s Chen Yuan-chi moved into contention with a 68 that included six birdies to lie four back while Scotsman Simon Yates, currently second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, is lurking six shots behind following a 69.

“It was very hot out there and I felt a bit tired. I kept hooking my drives but thankfully, I managed to save some good pars,” said Thaworn, who has a three-day total of seven-under-par 209.

The Thai, a three-time winner in Asia but winless since the 2001 Volvo Masters of Malaysia, bogeyed two of his opening four holes and turned in one-over. He birdied the 10th, dropped a bogey on 11 before finishing strongly with birdies on 14 and 16.

“I’ll need to hit more fairways and greens in the final round if I’m to win,” said Thaworn, who led into the final round of the 2003 Kolon Korean Open before settling for the runner-up spot.

English-born Williams, 45, is chasing his first title in six years and was poised to finish closer to Thaworn before bogeying his last hole. All in all, he had five birdies, including three in a row from the 14th, and dropped four bogeys.

The local challenge was led by the powerfully-built Chen. He struck his irons sweetly all day for six birdies from close range and reckons he needs a five-under final round if he is to secure his first Asian Tour title.

“I played really well and struck my irons solidly,” said Chen, who earned the nickname “Tiger Chen” after topping Tiger Woods in an exhibition match in China in 2001.

“I’m four behind and if I’m to have a chance tomorrow, I need to shoot something like a 67. Eight under total could be the winning score,” added the 32 year old.

Chinese Taipei’s Chang Tse-peng, a distant cousin to former tennis star Michael Chang, shot the day’s best of 67 for fourth place on 214, followed by Yates, Chen Tsang-te and Australian Richard Moir on 215.

Defending champion Lin Wen-ko, tied fourth overnight, stumbled down the leaderboard with an 81.

Source – Asian Tour