Honours split between Tabuena and Sandhu

Credit: Asian Tour

Honours split between Tabuena and Sandhu


Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena and India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu will head into the final round of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in pole position after posting a third round four-under-par 68 and 70 respectively on Saturday.

Both Tabuena and Sandhu had the opportunity to take the outright lead at the last hole, but they identically dropped a shot on the par-four 18 and had to settle for matching three-day total of nine-under-par 207.

Thailand’s Suradit Yongcharoenchai returned with a 68 while India’s Viraj Madappa signed for a 65 to share fourth place with Bangladeshi Siddikur Rahman, who posted a 68 at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.

Tabuena started the day two shots back of Sandhu, who was the overnight leader. After making five straight pars, the Filipino started to make his move with birdies on holes six and eight.

He continued to charge ahead after the turn with another three birdies in his next five holes before dropping his only shot of the day on 18.

Sandhu meanwhile stumbled early with a bogey on the par-three second before steadying the ship with birdies on holes nine, 11, 13 and 15.

The Indian, who is searching for his second Asian Tour win this week, parred the 16th and 17th holes before another bogey on 18 denied him the outright lead.

Scores after round 3 of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters being played at the par 72, 6923 Yards Tamsui Course course (am - denotes amateur):
207 - Miguel Tabuena (PHI) 67-72-68, Ajeetesh Sandhu (IND) 68-69-70.
208 - Suradit Yongcharoenchai (THA) 71-69-68.
209 - Viraj Madappa (IND) 72-72-65, Siddikur Rahman (BAN) 70-71-68.
211 - Nicholas Fung (MAS) 67-76-68, Adilson Da Silva (BRA) 72-71-68.
212 - Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 71-71-70.
213 - Ben Leong (MAS) 72-74-67, Jason Norris (AUS) 74-70-69, Wang Wei-lun (TPE) 69-73-71.
214 - Lu Wei-chih (TPE) 74-72-68, Yikeun Chang (KOR) 74-68-72, Phachara Khongwatmai (THA) 72-69-73.
215 - Mardan Mamat (SIN) 73-73-69, Andrew Dodt (AUS) 75-70-70, Danthai Boonma (THA) 69-74-72, Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) 70-73-72, S. Chikkarangappa (IND) 70-71-74.
216 - Chan Shih-chang (TPE) 74-72-70, Rory Hie (INA) 70-73-73, Sadom Kaewkanjana (THA) 71-72-73, Seungjae Maeng (USA) 74-68-74, Chiu Han-ting (TPE) 72-70-74, Miguel Carballo (ARG) 72-66-78.