Karachi, Pakistan, October 9: Liu Yanwei of China is enjoying the hospitality in Pakistan, but he will be all business when the UMA CNS Open Championship tees off on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Liu has enjoyed a fairly consistent run of form this season, as he made the cut at nine out of 14 events in 2018. His goal is to finish the year within the top-60 of the Habitat for Humanity Standings and he will be looking to put in a breakout performance at the Karachi Golf Club.

Liu started to peak around a similar period in 2017 that was highlighted by a lone third finish in China in November. He is feeling confident about his game and he’ll be one to watch at the upcoming US$300,000 event.

Marcus Both of Australia, Ireland’s Niall Turner and India’s Chiragh Kumar are also looking to kick-start their respective seasons at the UMA CNS Open Golf Championship, the Asian Tour’s first event in Pakistan since 2007.

Marcus Both of Australia

Both, who won his third Asian Tour title in 2014, has done commendably well in two tournaments in neighbouring India two months ago. He feels that the set up of the golf course at Karachi Golf Club suits his game and he is confident about his chances.

Turner has made a successful recovery from a back injury, evident from this top-10 finish in Chinese Taipei. He hopes to bring his forward momentum into Karachi.

Kumar, a one-time Asian Tour winner, has struggled this season but he remains positive and motivated in the lead up to the tournament this week.

Did you know:

• Liu Yanwei secured a career-high third place finish at the Asian Golf Championship in Xiamen last year
• This week marks Liu’s second visit to Pakistan. Last year, he competed at an Asian Development Tour tournament in Lahore and was placed tied-17th.
• He was prolific on the Asian Development Tour in 2017, finishing in the top-10 five times last year.
• Marcus Both won his maiden Asian Tour title back in 2003, at the Sanya Open
• His victory in the Philippines in 2014 was particularly sweet as he thought of quitting the game after losing his Tour card for the first time in 11 seasons.
• Niall Turner made his Asian Tour debut in 2011 and claimed three top-20s in his first nine months on Tour
• He missed the cut five times in his last eight starts on the Asian Tour, but he will be buoyed by his tied-sixth finish at the Yeangder TPC last week.
• Chiragh Kumar made his career breakthrough at the 2015 Panasonic Open India.
• He performed solidly in tournaments held in South Asia last year and secured his Tour card for this season after finishing in 41st place on the 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit.

Player’s Quotes:

Liu Yanwei (Chn)

It’s great to see an Asian Tour event in Pakistan. It’s always great to have new events on the schedule. The more events we have, the better it is.

I played an ADT (Asian Development Tour) event at Lahore last year. The people were very welcoming and I felt that they really enjoyed having us in their country. From what I have seen this week so far, the experience has been a similar one. I felt that I’ve been well taken care of.

This year, I played good in patches but I could have played better. There are a few more events left. The goal is top-60 and I’m working towards that.

It doesn’t matter what the tournament is or where it is held. It’s the same at every tournament; I’m going to play well, play my game and beat myself. If you play your own game and you play well, the good results will come and that’s I’m aiming to do every week.

I struggled with my putts over the last two weeks. Hopefully, I can get it back this week. Other than that, everything is OK. Let’s see how it goes.

Marcus Both (Aus)

It’s been a while since the Asian Tour last had a tournament here, but I can remember so much about it. I can still recall back in 2006, my roommate Chris Rodgers graduated from Q School, won a tournament the following week here in Pakistan and enjoyed the benefits that came with it. I also remember the course being really strategic, which is right up my alley. Karachi Golf Club’s course is old-style and it’s great to see it featured on our schedule.

You need to position your ball well. You have a bit of room off the beaten track but it’s better to hit the ball off the grass than the sandy wasteland ‘stuff’. This course looks open but if you hit it in there, it is not as user-friendly as hitting it off the fairway. The rest of my game is in pretty good shape.

I’ve played better than my scores suggested, which is frustrating. My results haven’t been up to scratch and I’m well aware of it. I’m working hard to rectify that. There are still a good number of events until the end of the year and hopefully, we can get things kick-started here.

Niall Turner (Ire)

I turned it around last week in Chinese Taipei. I didn’t play great in the first round, but I picked it up in the second round and carried it through to the weekend. It’s never easy to come back from an injury. Hopefully, last week will be the start of good things to come.

This is my first time in Pakistan. So far, it’s been great. The hospitality has been fantastic and everyone seems so happy to have us here. The hotel is nice and the week has been great so far.

I’ve played well last week, so I hope to be able to carry over the form into this week, put in four good rounds and a high finish.

My all-round game has been consistent currently. Everything is pretty solid. I need to have to high finishes this year; a win hopefully. Those are my goals for this season.

Chiragh Kumar (Ind)

It’s fantastic that the Asian Tour has come back to Pakistan after a long spell. I really hope that the tournament is here to stay. I have a geographical affinity to the country, being from India. We know so many people here and the hospitality is great. I’m excited to be here.

I don’t remember the golf course at all as I last played on it in 2007. But, I’m looking forward to going out there and playing on it.

I’ve been performing far below my expectations this year. It has been tough and I don’t know where things have gone wrong. But I’m hoping for a good finish and get my confidence up. There are still a good number of tournaments left. I want to make a charge to keep my card. That’s what I’m looking for.

I’m not working on anything specific. I hope that my game clicks this week. I don’t know what to expect from myself this week. I go into every tournament feeling confident. I want to do well, and hopefully, the tide turns.

Ends.

Kuala Lumpur, October 9: Shubhankar Sharma has set his sights on winning the Asian Tour’s Habitat for Humanity Standings as he prepares for his debut at the US$7 million CIMB Classic which starts on Thursday.

The Indian star has led on the Habitat for Humanity Standings since winning in Malaysia in February but he has Sanghyun Park of Korea, who has won twice on the Asian Tour, breathing down his neck.

With Park also in the elite field this week and a mere US$54,278 separating the duo, Sharma knows he must put in a solid performance at the TPC Kuala Lumpur, a course where he has never played on before.

They will be joined by the leading available 10 players on the Habitat for Humanity Standings which include Gaganjeet Bhullar, a nine-time Asian Tour winner, Justin Harding of South Africa and last week’s champion John Catlin of the United States.

The 22-year-old Sharma hopes to take a step closer towards becoming the Asian Tour’s number one golfer as half of the earnings won at the CIMB Classic will be counted on the Habitat for Humanity Standings.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat, the 2013 Asian Tour number one, will play in his first PGA Tour event at the CIMB Classic after becoming the first Thai to earn a PGA Tour card. He will look to improve on his tied third place finish in the showpiece in 2013.

Malaysia’s Leunkwang Kim will also make his dream debut in the event after winning the CIMB National Championship. Kim, who is close friends with reigning Order of Merit champion Gavin Green, will play in his career’s biggest tournament after sharpening his game on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).

Did you know?

• This is Sharma’s first appearance in the CIMB Classic. He qualified for the lucrative event thanks largely to his victory in Malaysia in February.
• Sharma, a two-time Asian Tour winner, currently leads the Habitat for Humanity Standings with a season’s haul of US$608,494.
• He is among four Indians – Gaganjeet Bhullar, Rahil Gangjee and Anirban Lahiri – in the elite field this week. This is the highest number of Indians playing in the tournament since its inception in 2011.
• Sharma won his first Asian Tour title at the Joburg Open in South Africa last December and went on to claim his second victory two months later in Malaysia.
• He also finished tied ninth at the World Golf Championships in Mexico where he led in the second and third rounds.
• Sharma is also the youngest Indian to play in all four Major championships this year, following the footsteps of Jeev Milkha Singh in 2007 and Anirban Lahiri in 2015 and 2016. His fine performances this year did not go unnoticed as he was awarded with the prestigious Arjuna Award from the President of India last month.
• Kiradech will be playing in his first PGA Tour event at the CIMB Classic as a PGA Tour member. He is the first Thai player to earn a PGA Tour card.
• This is his third appearance in the CIMB Classic. He previously played in the 2011 and 2013 editions where he finished tied 20th and tied third respectively. The result in 2013 also helped him lift the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
• Kiradech has fond memories at the TPC Kuala Lumpur where he won the Malaysian Open in 2013. However, the course recently went through renovation but the Thai is still confident of his chances.
• Earlier this year he won his third Asian Tour title at the 2018 ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth and finished tied fifth at the WGC – Mexico Championship and WGC – Dell Technologies Match Play.

Player quotes:

Shubhankar Sharma (Ind)

I’ve seen this event on television for so many years, and obviously Anirban (Lahiri) won the Malaysian Open here a few years ago so I’ve seen this golf course a lot on television and today was my first look at it. I’m really happy that I’m part of this event and looking forward to it.

I haven’t really thought about anything or set any goals. Winning the Order of Merit is something I want to achieve by December and playing well here goes a long way to achieve that. That will be number one goal for now.

Obviously we all know golf is a game that you can’t really have your best every week. What

I feel like in my short career, this is my sixth year as a pro, but what I learned is that it’s only when you are not playing well that you learn more about yourself. You have things that you would not really look at when you’re playing well, but when you’re playing bad, you tend to look at the finer things. I think I’ve done that in the past month.

Right now I feel like my game is in a good position. I have my coach here this week and even he’s really happy with the way I’m hitting it, and I hit it pretty good today as well. I think it’s just about getting in one good round and when that happens I think I’ll get confidence back and I’ll be back at it again.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Tha)

It is fantastic to start my first PGA TOUR event in Malaysia as a member in Malaysia, in Asia because it feels like home, especially the weather, the people around and the crowd is fantastic. My goal is just to be in the top-60 in the FedExCup points, that’s the goal for me, and keep the card as long as I can, same as my good friend Anirban (Lahiri).

Last few weeks I’ve been take three weeks off, it was my first time in seven years where I stayed at home more than 20 days, which is good. It’s difficult to get away from the golf club. I didn’t practice much but I was still working on the range.

I’ve been working with the same coach, same swing thought, try and play well, striking the ball and keep my confidence high. Hopefully the title is coming soon. The golf course is in good shape. The green is fantastic and this is the first time I see the ball rolling on the greens which is a good sign.

Leunkwang Kim (Mas)

Well, it feels amazing to have my first win finally after seven years, so it’s really nice to get a spot in the CIMB Classic. I’m really going to enjoy the week. Well, I think it will be different because when I was here few years ago and I was fortunate my best friend (Gavin Green) playing. So now I’m the one holding the golf club and playing.

I’m just going to enjoy every shot, being in the moment and playing in a PGA TOUR event. Gavin gave me a lot of advice throughout my career even when I was in contention two weeks ago.  We were texting every day, so he gave me a few good advice when I was leading. He told me to play like it’s the first day again, to start fresh and shoot my best. So I’m going to do that this week here as well.

Karachi, Pakistan, October 5: Pannakorn Uthaipas of Thailand will be aiming to turn his season around at the US$300,000 UMA CNS Open Golf Championship that tees off next week.

Pannakorn enjoyed a successful 2017, posting four top-10s and a victory on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) en route to winning the ADT Order of Merit title.

The transition to the Asian Tour has been a difficult one for the 28-year-old so far, but he is rediscovering his game and hopes to get back to winning ways at the historic Karachi Golf Club.

I’m going for a victory,” said Pannakorn, on his goal for the UMA CNS Open Golf Championship.

He added: “I’m really excited about next week. This is my second tournament in Pakistan. Last year, I was in Lahore for an ADT event. The country is safe, the people I’ve met were nice and the hotel was beautiful. I’m sure my experience will be similar or even better when I’m in Karachi.”

The UMA CNS Open Golf Championship is the first Asian Tour tournament in Pakistan in 11 years and Singapore’s Koh Deng Shan is grateful for the opportunity to play there.

Koh Deng Shan of Singapore

“It is always great to go back to a place where we haven’t been for some time. I’m glad that Pakistan is hosting an Asian Tour event and I hope that the country will continue to do that,” said Koh, who posted a career-best tied-16th finish on the Asian Tour in Zhengzhou this year.

“I’ve never been to Pakistan. I’ve only seen some pictures and it looks like a very scenic place. Getting my first Asian Tour win there will be fantastic!”

The 132-man field at the UMA CNS Open Golf Championship will be made up of 80 Asian Tour professionals, 30 local professionals and 22 invitees.

The tournament has been staged on the local circuit since 1995 and with its entry into Asia’s premier golf circuit this year, the event will receive Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.

Ends.

Linkou, Chinese Taipei, October 3: Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond is determined to get back to his winning ways at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship (TPC) which starts on Thursday.

The 22-year-old came up short after being in contention last week but is confident of redeeming himself and stake his claim for a place in Malaysia next week when the US$500,000 event gets underway.

Chinese Taipei’s Lu Wei-chih, who remains the only local to have won the Yeangder TPC in 2011, will be hoping to put a dent in Jazz’s title ambitions as the thought of bringing home the trophy is firmly etched on his mind.

Lu believes the course familiarity of the Linkou International Golf and Country Club will be advantageous for the local players and could prove decisive in reclaiming the Yeangder TPC, which is celebrating its ninth edition this week.

India’s Viraj Madappa is looking forward to post a stellar result away from home despite having missed three consecutive cuts since his maiden Asian Tour victory in August.

Encouraged by his breakthrough at home two months ago, Madappa is still feeling confident of going head-to-head against the best players on the Asian Tour.

Did you know?

• Jazz Janewattananond claimed his second Asian Tour victory at the Queen’s Cup on home soil in June.
• The 22-year-old Thai went on to make his Major debut at The Open at Carnoustie.
• Despite being placed 15th on the current Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings, Jazz still has a good chance of qualifying for next week’s CIMB Classic if he can break into top-10 with a good result this week.
• Lu Wei-chih is a four-time Asian Tour winner. His fourth win at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in 2016 was also his first in four years since he underwent a surgery to remove a brain tumour.
• When he won the Yeangder TPC in 2011, he battled back from a five-shot deficit. It was his last win after being diagnosed with a tumour in his brain.
• He never thought he could play golf again after his surgery but was encouraged by his family and friends to continue playing.
• Viraj Madappa became the youngest Indian player to win on the Asian Tour after lifting the 2018 TAKE Solutions Masters trophy in August.
• He won at the age of 20 years and nine months, breaking the previous record set by Gaganjeet Bhullar, who was 21 years and three months old when he won his first Asian Tour title at the 2009 Indonesia President Invitational.
• Madappa is also the youngest winner on the Asian Tour this season.
• Madappa, who turned professional in 2017, made the grade in his first attempt at the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January. He is the first rookie to win on the Asian Tour this season.

Players’ Quotes

Jazz Janewattananond (Tha)

I really got it up there last week especially the first three days. I was still looking good on the front-nine on the last day but then it all fell apart on the last nine holes. But this week is a redemption week for me as I know it can be redeemed. You can say it’s a top-10 finish and a good week but I feel I can play so much better than that. I like this golf course. I was in the final group two years ago and I know how to play this golf course. I have a good track record here and I’ll use that to my advantage.

Lu Wei-chih (Tpe)

This event obviously brings back lots of good memories as I repaid the faith in my sponsor by winning this event in 2011.  It’s nice knowing I’m the only local winner for this event since it was established and obviously I hope we can wrestle the trophy back to get it on home soil this week. I’ve played at Linkou so many times and I’m very familiar with this golf course. It all comes down to your mental state of mind and form when the tournament gets underway.

Viraj Madappa (Ind)

I’ve been getting into a lot more tournaments with better field. It has been exciting playing with all these some of these top professionals from Asia. It allows me to see where my game stands. I haven’t been playing as well as I have the last couple of weeks but I’m still excited and confident about my game. I feel like I’ve learnt a lot this whole year despite all these missed cuts. But I still feel I’ve the game to finish really high this week. This course really rewards good ball striking, the greens are tricky to read and it will be anyone’s game this week. I’m really close to a couple of guys like Rahil and S.S.P. I’ve got close to Shiv and other Indians like Gaganjeet who have really helped me throughout the year. They have helped me with my mental state and they have played a big part in helping me feel comfortable on Tour.

Ends.

Linkou, Chinese Taipei, October 2: The Yeangder Tournament Players Championship (TPC) will be the ultimate test for Asian Tour’s leading players when it gets underway at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club on Thursday.

The US$500,000 event, which is the second leg of the Asian Tour stop in Chinese Taipei, is the final event before qualification closes for the lucrative events in Malaysia next week and China at the end of the month.

With much at stake and everything to play for on all fronts, India’s Shubhankar Sharma, who currently leads the Habitat for Humanity Standings, is ready put up a performance befitting of his status as one of Asia’s shining stars.

Sharma’s confidence stems from a spectacular season which has seen him win his second Asian Tour title in Malaysia in February and posting several sterling results globally.

Being conferred the prestigious Arjuna award by the President of India last week was indeed the icing on the cake for the 22-year-old.

South Africa’s Justin Harding, who is the highest ranked player on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) this week, is also seeking another grandstand finish after a breakout year on the Asian Tour.

Harding has already secured two wins and two top-five finishes in only six starts on the Asian Tour and believes he can do even better if he continues to play true to form.

American Berry Henson, who moved into contention for a place in Malaysia after finishing tied-second last week, is ready to pick up where he left off.

The one-time Asian Tour winner is pleased with his return to form and is hopeful of winning his first title since 2011.

Did you know?

• The top 10 and top four players (not otherwise exempt) on the Habitat for Humanity standings will qualify for the US$7 million CIMB Classic and US$10 million WGC-HSBC Champions staged in Malaysia and China respectively.
• The Yeangder TPC is the final event for players to try and boost their rankings on the Habitat for Humanity Standings.
• Shubhankar Sharma, a two-time Asian Tour winner, currently leads the Habitat for Humanity Standings with a season’s haul of US$608,493.55
• Sharma won his first Asian Tour title at the Joburg Open last December and went on to claim his second victory two months later at the Maybank Championship.

• Those results played an instrumental role in helping him break into the top-100 on the OWGR for the first time in his career.
• Sharma continued his remarkable rise at the World Golf Championships in Mexico where he came in top-10 in his first attempt and has played in all four Majors this year.
• He finished in tied-21st place at the Yeangder TPC last year.
• Justin Harding is playing in only his seventh start on the Asian Tour this season. He has claimed two victories and a runner-up finish so far.
• Harding broke into top-10 on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings following his second-place result in Japan and moved to his current sixth place after finishing tied-fourth last week.
• Harding won his first Asian Tour title in his first start on Tour this season at the BANK BRI Indonesia Open in July. He later claimed a six-shot victory at the Royal Cup to become the first player since 2011 to win back-to-back titles on the region’s premier Tour.
• Harding is the highest-ranked player in the field in 93rd place on the latest OWGR.
• Berry Henson, a one-time Asian Tour winner, made an amazing return from a career-threatening wrist injury by notching three consecutive top-10 finishes earlier in the season.
• The American claimed his breakthrough in his rookie year on the Asian Tour in 2011. He posted best result this season with his joint runner-up finish last week.

Players’ Quotes

Shubhankar Sharma (Ind)

I’m very happy to be back in Asia and also because all of my friends are here. It has been a very long year for me especially with all the traveling. But now that I’m back, I get to spend time with my family and friends and it just brings back old memories which I’m very happy for. It was a very big honour to receive the Arjuna Award from the President. Just to be presented with the award and to be mentioned in the same breath as the other top athletes in India is something I’ll always remember. It has been a whirlwind season for me. I played all four Majors, most of the WGCs and so it has been a dream year for me. There’s lots of learning and new experiences and I’m really happy I got the chance to do all of this. I’ve never played the CIMB before and it should be very exciting. I’ve watched it on TV before and my second win obviously came in Malaysia, so I’m looking forward to returning there and putting up another good show. I had a bigger lead before but the players are playing better and everyone’s getting closer. I know I’ve got to play well and I’ve to finish strong in the last few events and I’m going to give my best.

Justin Harding (Rsa)

It has been a nice year, casually moving up and up as I continue to put together some nice results. I guess I can say I’ve been going places. I’m looking forward to this week. I’m playing here for the first time and I’m obviously trying to build on my good form and get another good result here. I didn’t really expect this when I played my first event out here. I can’t really explain it. It’s a matter of taking each round as it comes and give myself a chance come Sunday. It’s just a matter of trying to minimise mistakes throughout the year. You have your weeks when you make a couple more than most. It’s always tricky as I’m coming to most places where I’ve never been to before and I’m seeing lots of courses for the first time. But that maybe plays in my favour as I don’t have any bad memories of any of them. I’ve never anticipated my season to be this good and my schedule looking forward to very nice. It’s exciting and I’m looking forward to CIMB as I’m going to see a couple of my mates there. It’s now a matter of grinding it out and working on what needs to be worked this week to prepare for CIMB and HSBC if it all goes well.

Berry Henson (Usa)

The goal is to win this week. The perks will come if you play well. I was quite far out going into last week but I was able to put myself into position by playing well. The fact that I had a chance was really all I wanted to give myself. My game is sharp. I’ve played well here in the past so if I go out and play my game, everything will take care of itself.

Ends.

Chinese Taipei, September 29: Overnight co-leader Adilson Da Silva of Brazil edged closer to his long-awaited Asian Tour breakthrough after battling to a two-under-par 70 to grab the outright lead following the penultimate round of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Saturday.

The 46-year-old Brazilian, who claimed a second joint runner-up finish in the storied event 12 months ago, continued to bank on his past experiences as he carded four birdies against two bogeys to lead by one shot on five-under-par 211 total in the US$850,000 event.

Home hero Lin Wen-tang raised the local hopes after signing for a 70 to share second place with South African Justin Harding (71), young Thai Jazz Janewattananond (70) and Heungchol Joo of Korea (66) at the fabled Taiwan Golf and Country Club.

Qualifying school graduate Joo, who sank the first ace of the week on the par-three eighth hole yesterday, returned with the day’s best score after posting a bogey-free round highlighted by six birdies in the event, which is celebrating its 32nd edition this week.

Zimbabwean Scott Vincent, American Berry Henson and Chinese star Liang Wen-chong shared sixth place on 213 following respective rounds of 69, 69 and 70 at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, which hails as the longest running full-field event on the Asian Tour.

Players are vying to boost their Merit rankings with good showings this week as the top 10 and top four players (not otherwise exempt) on the Habitat for Humanity standings will qualify for the US$7 million CIMB Classic and US$10 million WGC-HSBC Champions staged in Malaysia and China respectively.

The Mercuries Taiwan Masters will be the penultimate event for players to try and boost their rankings on the Habitat for Humanity Standings before the cut-off date on October 7.

Did you know?

• Adilson Da Silva holds the 54-hole lead for the first time in six appearances at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters.
• Da Silva has an impeccable track record at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters. He has not finished outside top-three in his last three starts in the storied event. In his debut appearance in 2012, he also enjoyed a tied-ninth place finish.
• Prior to this week, Da Silva has made only three cuts in 11 starts this season. He claimed a tied-ninth place result in Japan last week to propel to 65th place on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings. Needs a strong performance this week to break into top-60 and retain his card for the 2019 season.
• Last year, Da Silva came in joint runner-up after finishing two shots back of winner Gavin Green of Malaysia.
• Da Silva enjoyed a career high in 2016 when he was given the honour of striking the first tee shot at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro when golf made a return into the programme after 112 years.
• Da Silva has won multiple times on the Sunshine Tour but is still searching for a first win on the Asian Tour.
• Da Silva started playing extensively in Zimbabwe from between 1996 to 2003, winning more than 30 titles and five Zimbabwean Order of Merit crowns. Played in the British Open in 2000 and 2007.
• Justin Harding is playing in only his sixth start on the Asian Tour this season. He has claimed two victories and a runner-up finish so far.
• Harding broke into top-10 on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings following his second-place result in Japan last week. He sits in a current eighth position.
• The 32-year-old Harding won his first Asian Tour title in his first start on Tour this season at the BANK BRI Indonesia Open in July. He later claimed a six-shot victory at the Royal Cup to become the first player since 2011 to win back-to-back titles on the region’s premier Tour.
• Harding is the higest-ranked player in the field in 97th place on the latest Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
• Lin Wen-tang is one of Chinese Taipei’s most successful golfers. He holds a total of six victories on the Asian Tour, including the Mercuries Taiwan Masters which he won in 2009. Lin has also won twice on home soil on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).
• Jazz Janewattananond claimed his second Asian Tour victory at the Queen’s Cup on home soil in June.
• The 22-year-old Thai went on to make his Major debut at The Open at Carnoustie.
• Placed 14th on the current Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings, Jazz has a good chance to qualify for the upcoming CIMB Classic if he can break into top-10 with a good result this week.
• Heungchol Joo turned professional in 2007. He has won three times on his local circuit.
• Joo came through the Asian Tour Qualifying School for the first time in three attempts earlier in January.
• The 37-year-old Joo has missed only one cut in seven starts so far this season. He aced the par-three eighth hole in the second round after hitting a four-iron from 172 metres.

Players’ quotes:

Adilson Da Silva (Bra) – Third round 70 (-2), Total 211, (-5)

It was a perfect day, no wind nothing. I didn’t really get off to a good start, bogeyed the second hole. I hit short of the green and had a bad lie there. I just kept hanging there and got a few birdies in after that.

On the back nine, I just kept it in play again. I hit good tee shots and gave myself good chances to attack the pins with my second shots. I just played steady. I think the par on the 10th hole is my best hole today. I hit it to the right again, chipped it close and made the four-footer for par.

I am just going to do the same tomorrow. Stay patient because this course can really test you very quickly. I just need to be very patient, play one shot at a time. Even today, I kept telling myself to be patient as well. Even a day like this, you need to be very patient as well.

Justin Harding (Rsa) – Third round 71 (-1), Total 212 (-4)

I played really well on the front nine. I think it have been a couple lower than three-under-par. But I played bad on the back nine. Nothing seems to happen when I put myself in play. I didn’t make putts, missed a tap-in on the 17th hole and three-putted the 15th hole.

It wasn’t exactly what I was looking for obviously. I was looking to at least maintain a bit of momentum. I wanted to give myself a lot of space but it wasn’t the case. Adilson played really well today.

At the end of the day, it’s going to be a little bit of a dog fight tomorrow. There wasn’t much breeze today. Personally, I thought the golf course today was just there for you to score. I don’t know too much about what other players shot but I felt like I left four to five shots out there quite comfortably.

It’s going to be the same thing tomorrow. I’ll just keep executing shots, try and make less mistakes tomorrow.

Jazz Janewattananond (Tha) – Third round 70 (-2), Total 212 (-4)

I started very well today, slowed down in the middle and didn’t finish well with two closing bogeys. But on a course like that, you can’t mind too much if you bogey. I am looking forward to starting fresh tomorrow and we’ll see how it goes.

There was less wind today and easier to play for sure. I think two-under is not a bad score. It’s not great but I think that will do the job today. My eagle putt lipped out on the par-five sixth hole but it was still nice to get three birdies in a row.

My approach shots were good. It was pretty good all around. I just putted better on my front nine. I don’t what’s going to happen with the weather tomorrow. It might just change to a sunny day but whatever it is, I will go out and try my best to shoot a good score.

I think I still have a good chance to qualify for the CIMB Classic so that’s definitely at the back of my mind. Hopefully I can secure a good result this week and leave myself with lesser work next week.

Lin Wen-tang (Tpe) – Third round 70 (-2), Total 212 (-4)

I played pretty steady today, especially at the start of the round. I birdied second and missed a short putt for birdie on third. I hit a good drive on the fifth which bounced to the left of the fairway and then hit my 50 degree from about 117 yards and the ball disappeared on the green!

I left a few shots out there. My putts didn’t really drop on the back nine. But overall, I played consistently. Playing on this course, I know I just need to try and do my best. This course is not as easy as it looks.

Like Liang Wen-chong today, he played really well today. His iron shots were great but his putts just didn’t seem to drop. The greens are tricky here. One more day to go, I’ll just do my best tomorrow.

Heungchol Joo (Kor) – Third round 66 (-6), Total 212 (-4)

I putted really well today. I made two long putts from 20 metres for birdies on 12 and 16. On the fourth and fifth holes, I hit it close and tapped in for birdies. It was nice to come back with a bogey-free round.

It was less windy out there today. I guess that helped. I made a hole-in-one yesterday and felt really good about the course when I went out this morning. There are just a lot of good vibes out there.

This is my first time playing in the event so I am happy with where I stand now. The greens are tricky here and it’s hard to read. But I will try my best again tomorrow. It’s also my first time playing in Chinese Taipei. It has been really enjoyable so far.

The season’s been good since getting my card at the Qualifying School. Hopefully I can continue playing well in the final round tomorrow.

Scores after round 3 of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters being played at the par 72, 6923 Yards Tamsui Course course (am – denotes amateur):

211 – Adilson DA SILVA (BRA) 71-70-70.

212 – Heungchol JOO (KOR) 75-71-66, LIN Wen-tang (TPE) 70-72-70, Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) 70-72-70, Justin HARDING (RSA) 68-73-71.

213 – Scott VINCENT (ZIM) 73-71-69, Berry HENSON (USA) 71-73-69, LIANG Wenchong (CHN) 70-73-70.

214 – LU Chien-soon (TPE) 72-74-68, TSAI Chi-huang (TPE) 71-71-72, Lionel WEBER (FRA) 68-73-73.

215 – HSIEH Tung-hung (TPE) 75-71-69, LU Wei-chih (TPE) 73-71-71, Shiv KAPUR (IND) 71-73-71.

216 – Miguel TABUENA (PHI) 68-77-71, WANG Wei-hsuan (am, TPE) 72-72-72, Josh YOUNGER (AUS) 72-72-72.

Ends.