Osaka: Park Sung-joon of Korea continued his formidable form after shooting a third round three-under-par 68 to charge into a two-shot lead at the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open on Saturday.
The slightly-built Korean, who has not missed a single cut in Japan this season, overcame the tough playing conditions with four birdies against one bogey for a seven-under-par 206 at the Ibaraki Country Club.
Asian Tour honorary member and Asia’s first male Major champion Y.E. Yang of Korea sank a 15 footer eagle putt on the last for a 69 to share second place with Japan’s Tetsuji Hiratsuka (71), Masahiro Kawamura (71) and Akio Sadakata (68).
Overnight leader Pariya Junhasavasdikul of Thailand slipped back to tied sixth after posting a disappointing 74 to trail Park by three shots at the Y150 million (approximately US$1.48 million) event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.
Park has enjoyed a wonderful season in Japan after changing to a new putter earlier this year which resulted in him winning in September and posting three other runner-up finishes.
“I struggled with my putting last year and I changed to the mallet putter and it really helped me out. I started off well in the season and that gave me a lot of confidence,” said the 27-year-old Park.
“It is going to be another day and another 18 holes. I just got to focus on my game. It doesn’t matter who I’m playing against. I’m feeling pretty comfortable with my game so I should be good,” he added.
Yang, who defeated Tiger Woods at the 2009 US PGA Championship, was even-par after 17 holes but produced a grandstand finish when his pinpoint approach shot landed 15-feet from the hole.
“I only played good for 18 holes but I’m still happy! The wind was blowing quite strongly but my swing has been the same. I think I have a good chance. Park is playing good but I’m only two shots back,” said Yang, who is making his debut at the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open.
Pariya, a two-time Asian Tour winner, struggled to take advantage of his opening two birdies when he returned with five bogeys including three straight dropped shots from the eighth hole.
“I guess I tried to push it a little bit too much after making early birdies. It is a lesson to learn. I won’t do anything differently except stay patient. If I shoot three or four-under, maybe it might get me to the top,” said the 29-year-old Pariya.
Scores after round 3 of the 2013 Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Panasonic being played at the par 71, 7328 Yards Ibaraki Country Club course (a- denotes amateur):
206 - PARK Sung-Joon (KOR) 71-67-68.
208 - Akio SADAKATA (JPN) 75-65-68, Y.E. YANG (KOR) 71-68-69, Masahiro KAWAMURA (JPN) 69-68-71, Tetsuji HIRATSUKA (JPN) 71-66-71.
209 - Brad KENNEDY (AUS) 72-66-71, SONG Young-han (KOR) 69-69-71, Pariya JUNHASAVASDIKUL (THA) 65-70-74.
210 - Kazuhiro YAMASHITA (JPN) 73-67-70, Wade ORMSBY (AUS) 72-67-71.
211 - David OH (USA) 75-67-69, LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) 73-71-67, Yoshikazu HAKU (JPN) 72-66-73.
212 - LEE Kyoung-hoon (KOR) 70-73-69, Koumei ODA (JPN) 70-71-71, Rory HIE (INA) 69-69-74.
213 - Kazuhiko HOSOKAWA (JPN) 71-68-74, Shingo KATAYAMA (JPN) 63-73-77.
214 - LU Wei-chih (TPE) 72-71-71, Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 70-73-71, KIM Sung-yoon (KOR) 70-71-73, Yuki KONO (JPN) 76-65-73, WU Ashun (CHN) 74-71-69.
