Singaporean veteran Mardan Mamat will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the ICTSI Philippine Open after Filipino teenager Miguel Tabuena boosted his hopes of a maiden Asian Tour win with a stunning 67 on day three.
Mamat, whose last Asian Tour win came in 2006, managed a host of impressive par saves en route to a battling two under par 70 at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club’s East course.
His round, which featured just 23 putts, lifted him to seven under, one clear of Tabuena, who equalled the course record with the aid of seven birdies.
Korea’s Mo Joong-kyung was a further shot back on five under after a 68, with no other player under par.
Mamat, 44, said: “I was struggling with my irons and hit a lot of fliers. But I holed a lot of putts. The putt on number eight was unbelievable.
“Yesterday, I hit the ball good but didn’t putt it good. Today, I didn’t hit it good but putted good. It comes and goes. Hopefully both will come together tomorrow,”
Tabuena, who opened with four birdies in six holes today, said: “I can’t wait for tomorrow. It wasn’t easy. I just told myself to stay patient and hit fairways and greens and it worked. It is really hard to make mistakes when you’re in a zone.
“There was a lot of pressure especially when you’re playing on home soil. I’m happy I coped with it.
“I’ve got nothing to lose. I just want to go out there and have some fun. It’ll mean everything (if I can win). I’ve been dreaming about winning this tournament for a long time. I just kept telling myself that I can win the Philippine Open.”
Mamat, whose last Asian Tour win came in 2006, managed a host of impressive par saves en route to a battling two under par 70 at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club’s East course.
His round, which featured just 23 putts, lifted him to seven under, one clear of Tabuena, who equalled the course record with the aid of seven birdies.
Korea’s Mo Joong-kyung was a further shot back on five under after a 68, with no other player under par.
Mamat, 44, said: “I was struggling with my irons and hit a lot of fliers. But I holed a lot of putts. The putt on number eight was unbelievable.
“Yesterday, I hit the ball good but didn’t putt it good. Today, I didn’t hit it good but putted good. It comes and goes. Hopefully both will come together tomorrow,”
Tabuena, who opened with four birdies in six holes today, said: “I can’t wait for tomorrow. It wasn’t easy. I just told myself to stay patient and hit fairways and greens and it worked. It is really hard to make mistakes when you’re in a zone.
“There was a lot of pressure especially when you’re playing on home soil. I’m happy I coped with it.
“I’ve got nothing to lose. I just want to go out there and have some fun. It’ll mean everything (if I can win). I’ve been dreaming about winning this tournament for a long time. I just kept telling myself that I can win the Philippine Open.”
