Manila: Nicholas Fung stayed within striking distance of leader Liang Wen-chong with a battling third round two-under 70 at the inaugural US$750,000 Resorts World Manila Masters on Saturday.
The top-ranked Malaysian was placed second alongside Korean-American David Lipsky as Wen-chong posted a five-under 65 to take a one-shot advantage into the final round at the Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club.
India’s Himmat Rai carded a 68 to take tied-fourth place alongside overnight leader Jazz Janewattananond at the newest event to make its debut on the Asian Tour this season.
Fung, who currently tops both his domestic Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour as well as the Asian Development Tour (ADT) rankings, is excited with the prospect of lifting his maiden title on the Asian Tour.
“Tomorrow will be the first time I’ll be playing in the final group on the main Tour and I’m going to try my best to win this tournament,” said Fung.
With the windy conditions affecting his play, the Malaysian is hoping for better weather conditions as he eyes a grandstand finish.
“The conditions were really tough today and I struggled. But luckily, I’m only one shot back of Liang and I’ll try my best to overtake him,” added the 23-year-old, who is poised to emulate compatriots Danny Chia (2002 Acer Taiwan Open) and Airil Rizman Zahari (2007 Pakistan Open) as winners on the Asian Tour.
Liang started his round three shots back but quickly reduced his deficit with birdies in his opening two holes. The Chinese dropped his only shot of the day at the par-three fifth but recovered well with another birdie on the ninth to turn in 34. Liang then birdied three of his last five holes to remain firmly in contention for his third Asian Tour win.
“It was another great round and I’m happy that I managed to stay patient throughout the day,” said Liang, who garnered a three-day total of 13-under-par 203.
With several impressive performances this year including three top-five finishes in India, Russia and Austria, Liang is however not ready to think of another victory on the region’s premier Tour just yet.
“If you look at the leaderboard, the race is still wide open. Anything can happen and I just have to concentrate and hope things go my way tomorrow,” noted the Chinese number one.
Leading third round scores
203 – Liang Wen-chong (CHN) 67-69-67
204 – David Lipsky (USA) 66-69-69, Nicholas Fung (MAS) 70-64-70
205 – Himmat Rai (IND) 68-69-68, Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 64-69-72
206 – Sutijet Kooratanapisan (THA) 67-71-68, S.S.P. Chowrasia (IND) 71-66-69
207 – Matthew Stieger (AUS) 66-73-68, Thitiphun Chuayprakong (THA) 66-73-68, David Lutterus (AUS) 68-70-69, Jaakko Makitalo (FIN) 69-68-70, Hung Chien-yao (TPE) 68-68-71, Stephen Lewton (ENG) 70-66-71, Mithun Perera (SRI) 69-67-71, Adilson Da Silva (BRA) 68-67-72, Prom Meesawat (THA) 67-67-73, Angelo Que (PHI) 67-66-74
