Paju, Korea - Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert carded a third-round five-under-par 67 on Saturday to hold a one-shot lead at 19-under 197 at the Yeangder TPC, keeping his nose ahead of a crowded leaderboard at Linkou International Golf & Country Club.
Seeking his first Asian Tour victory since the 2019 Sabah Masters, the 37-year-old opened his day in style with an eagle on the par-5 first hole before adding three birdies to extend his flawless, bogey-free streak through 54 holes.
“I’m quite surprised because I’m usually a birdie-bogey player, but this week I’ve put the ball in very good positions,” said Pavit, a two-time Asian Tour winner and eight-time Asian Development Tour champion. “I just have to stay calm tomorrow, do what I did for the past three days, and see what happens.”
Defending champion Kazuki Higa of Japan sits just one stroke back at 18-under after matching Pavit’s third-round 67. Higa, who won last year’s event en route to becoming the first Japanese player to capture the Asian Tour Order of Merit, closed the gap with a birdie on the 72nd hole of the day.
The chasing pack gained significant ground during Saturday’s moving day, led by the Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena, who matched the lowest round of the week with a bogey-free 10-under 62 to tie for third at 16-under par.
Joining Tabuena in a four-way tie for third are Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho (64), American Peter Uihlein (65), and local favorite Chien-yao Hung (67). Chinese Taipei’s Chieh-po Lee (64) and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond (68) sit a further shot back at 15-under par, while Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Travis Smyth of Australia lurks at 14-under following a 66.