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DAY 2
DAY 1


April 10th 2010, Yangon, Myanmar: Japan’s Tetsuji Hiratsuka maintained his lead after the third round of the Air Bagan Myanmar Open presented by IBTC on Saturday but hot on his heels is Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng.

Hiratsuka posted a three-under-par 69 for a three-day total of 18-under-par 198 to go into the final round with a three-stroke lead over Prayad who closed with a 67 in the US$300,000 event, which is making a return on the Asian Tour Schedule after a four-year hiatus.

Hideto Tanihara, who was on 14-under before a double bogey on the 16th hole, signed off with a 70 for a three-day total of 204 while Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant (70) lies in fourth position on 206 at the Pun Hlaing Golf Club.

Veteran Boonchu Ruangkit (69) of Thailand, fresh from winning three Senior Masters titles, Japanese Kenichi Kuboya (70) and Australians Andrew Dodt (72) and Scott Hend (69) are tied in fifth position on 207.

Hiratsuka, who has two third place finishes this season, rued his inconsistent tee shots. He posted five birdies against two bogeys but was delighted to have a three-shot cushion.

“I was hitting my tee shots left and right and that was very disappointing. I was lucky to be able to hole all my putts from inside 10 feet to keep myself in the lead,” said Hiratsuka.

“I haven’t won before on the Asian Tour but have come close on several occasions. I have a good chance now but I need to practice on my tee shots,” added the Japanese.

Prayad will be on attack mode in the final round as he aims to end a two-year title drought on the Asian Tour.

The six-time winner in Asia got off to a bright start, reeling in two birdies on the fourth and seventh holes before saving par on the ninth hole with a 50-yard chip in.

“My chipping pulled my game up. I hit it close and was able to convert my chances. Tetsuji (Hiratsuka) is a very good player and I would need at least a five or six-under tomorrow to have a chance of winning,” said Prayad.

“I was struggling with my stamina but today I coped with the heat and was able to close the gap on the leader,” he added.

Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing, who finished top-10 in last week’s SAIL Open in India, lamented a cold putter. He turned in 33 but closed with a bogey on the 17th hole to close with a 70 for a three-day total of 208.

“It is frustrating because I hit the ball really good. I had so many putts which looked like they were going in but lipped the cup or slide by,” said Lam who carded three birdies against one bogey.