Miri: Jay Bayron of the Philippines rode on a hot putter as he raced into a three-shot lead after shooting a five-under-par 67 in the third round of the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Eastwood Valley Masters on Friday.

Bayron is in prime position of winning his third Asian Development Tour (ADT) title as he leads on 11-under-par 205 at the Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club.

Overnight leader Hsu Mong-nan of Chinese Taipei will play catch-up for the first time this week after firing a 71 to lie in second place while talented Korean Park Jin-woo (69) is a further shot back at the US$80,000 ADT event.

In-form Nicholas Fung of Malaysia, who won two titles in the last two weeks, matched Bayron’s score of 67 but remains five shots off the pace at the co-sanctioned event which is part of the 30th anniversary celebration of Eastwood Valley’s holding company, Woodman Group.

Bayron was hot off the blocks, shooting a birdie in his opening hole and turned in 34. He posted a pair of birdies from the 10th hole and capped off a solid round with another birdie on 18.

“I putted very well and if I can continue to play like how I did, I’m sure I can win. I like this golf course and I seem to read the greens well,” said the 38-year-old.

Currently third on the Order of Merit, Bayron knows a victory this week will boost his rankings and put him a step closer of earning an Asian Tour card for 2013.

“It is so important for me to earn an Asian Tour card. If I win, I think I will definitely finish in the top three of the Order of Merit at the end of the season. It is going to be an exciting final round for me,” said Bayron.

Park, 19, continued to sparkle as he stayed in touch with Bayron with a round of four birdies against one bogey highlighted with a 15-yard chip in birdie on the par-three eighth hole.

“It is nice to play well. I have a chance of winning now but I’m trying not to think about it. I want to find fairways and continue hitting it straight,” said Park, who turned professional at the age of 17.

Fung continued his fine form as he won in Malaysia and Indonesia in the last two weeks. He posted a sensational round of 67 highlighted by two 30-yard chip-in birdies on holes three and 11.

“Obviously, I have a lot of confidence now. I won in the last two weeks so I’m aiming for a hat-trick of titles. I like to come from behind and win,” smiled the bespectacled Fung, who will sign up for the Asian Tour Qualifying School in Thailand next year.

Leading third round scores
205 – Jay Bayron (PHI) 67-71-67
208 – Hsu Mong-Nan (TPE) 66-71-71
209 – Park Jin Woo (KOR) 69-71-69
210 – Nicholas Fung 73-70-67
211 – R. Nachimuthu (MAS) 70-73-68
212 – Hirotaro Naito (JPN) 69-74-69
212 – Sukree Othman 69-73-70, Sofian Kepli 73-67-72
213 – Mitsuhiko Hashizume (JPN) 72-72-69
214 – Rance De Grusssa (AUS) 70-74-70, James Byrne (SCO) 74-70-70, Mhark Fernando (PHI) 70-73-71, Akhmal Tarmizee Nazari 73-69-72