Pagunsan fires 70, leads by 1

Tamsui, Chinese Taipei— Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines fired a two-under-par 70 Saturday to take a one-shot lead going into the final round of the $800,000 Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Saturday.

Pagunsan, who in 2011 became the first Filipino to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit, has now pooled an eight-under-par 208 to hold a narrow edge over Malaysia’s Gavin Green at Taiwan Golf and Country Club.

Green stayed in the hunt for his first Asian Tour title after shooting a 71 and stay within striking distance of Pagunsan, his playing partner. Keith Horne of South Africa was a further two shots back following a 72.

Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe posted a superb 66 for a tie for fourth place with Thai Danthai Boonma and Malaysian Ben Leong, who both returned matching 71s.

Pagunsan birdied the opening hole before adding two birdies against one bogey on his homeward nine. —ASIAN TOUR