2006 Brunei Open - Round 3: Pilkadaris and Gleeson one ahead

Defending champion Terry Pilkadaris and compatriot David Gleeson of Australia charged up the leaderboard as they snatched the lead in the third round of the US$300,000 Brunei Open on Saturday.

Pilkadaris, who is currently ranked 14th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, fired a superb seven-under-par 64 while Gleeson, looking for his second Asian Tour title, shot a 65. Filipino youngster Juvic Pagunsan made a late charge as he trailed the leaders by one stroke after a 67 at the Empire Hotel and Country Club.

Chinese Taipei veteran Wang Ter-chang shot his best round of the tournament as he rose to joint fourth position after an impressive 64 alongside American talent Jason Knutzon who carded a 66.

Countryman Lin Wen-tang, who set the pace in the second round, dropped to tied sixth spot after a 70 together with Scotland’s Ross Bain who shot a 68. Australia’s Jason King and Anthony Kang of United States scored identical 66s and were also in joint sixth position.

Pilkadaris, 32, with the support of his wife Monique who is back on the bag, blasted an eagle at the par five 15th hole. He had birdied the first, third, fourth and fifth holes before crumbling with two bogeys on the eighth and ninth holes. He then birdied the 10th, 12th and 13th holes before his eagle on the 15th hole.

“I was pleased with my round. I was kicking myself as I bogeyed the eighth and ninth holes. I was playing well, trying to be patient and was hitting some nice shots on the back nine,” said Pilkadaris.

“I did a bit of work on the range yesterday. Monique picked up on some things and I worked on it on the range and came out firing today.

“The 15th hole was great as I struck a solid drive off the tee. Then I used a three wood and it landed two feet away from the pin, so I didn’t have to sweat too much on that,” he said.

After his success at the 2002 Volvo China Open, Gleeson is eager to get back to his winning ways as he scored seven birdies against one bogey.

“I did the same thing as the other days and made some nice birdies today. My plan seems to be working so I will head out there tomorrow and continue what I’m doing,” said Gleeson.

Pagunsan made a late dash as he stood in lone third spot when he shot five birdies against one bogey. Two birdies at the closing stages in the 17th and 18th holes lifted his hopes of a strong finish in the final round.

“It worked out well for me and I am feeling good about my game. I hope to continue my performance as I am determined to finish strongly tomorrow,” said Pagunsan.

“This definitely bring backs good memories as it reminds me of the time when I finished runner-up in the Philippine Open in 2004 as an amateur.

“I will try my best tomorrow but it will not be easy because Pilkadaris is out there on top together with Gleeson and it was a strong performance by Wang as well. But nevertheless I will enjoy my game in the final round,” admitted Pagunsan.

The 44-year-old Wang, with three Asian Tour titles under his belt, shot a birdie at the second hole but dropped a shot in the following hole. He bounced back with a birdie on the fifth hole before blazing past the back nine with six birdies.

“I only missed one green today which was at the 18th hole so I am definitely very happy with my performance,” said Wang.

“I was 11 yards out and managed a birdie putt at the 10th hole so that felt good. You have to be consistent in your putts here and thankfully I had a steady performance today,” he said.

Thailand’s highest ranked player Boonchu Ruangkit was in tied 16th after a 69 while India's Jyoti Randhawa shot a 68 in tied 25th position.

Leading third round scores
200 - Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 67-69-64, David Gleeson (AUS) 67-68-65
201 - Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 66-68-67
202 - Wang Ter-chang (TPE) 68-70-64, Jason Knutzon (USA) 68-68-66
203 - Jason King (AUS) 68-69-66, Anthony Kang (USA) 70-67-66, Ross Bain (SCO) 67-68-68, Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 70-63-70
204 - Clay Devers (USA) 70-69-65, Richard Moir (AUS) 69-68-67, Rahil Gangjee (IND) 64-71-69
205 - Simon Hurd (ENG) 70-69-66, Henry Perks (AUS) 68-67-70, Michael Wright (AUS) 67-66-72
206 - Lu Wei-chih (TPE) 65-74-67, Tony Carolan (AUS) 70-68-68, Boonchu Ruangkit (THA) 67-70-69
207 - Chapchai Nirat (THA) 68-71-68, Suk Jong-yul (KOR) 70-68-69,Lee Sung (KOR) 70-68-69, Sung Mao-chang (TPE) 65-73-69, Rick Gibson (CAN) 67-69-71, Chen Tze-chung (TPE) 65-69-73

August 26, 2006

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