Overnight leader Hung Chien-yao extended his advantage at the top to six shots after carding a brilliant six-under-par 66 to put himself in prime position for a second Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory following the penultimate round of the US$200,000 Taifong Open on Saturday.

Hung, who claimed the 2020 Taifong Open with a record-breaking victory on his domestic circuit, set the course alight again when he fired an eagle and eight birdies against a double-bogey and two bogeys for a three-day total of 12-under-par 204 at the Taifong Golf Club.

He set the biggest winning margin in the tournament’s history with his commanding nine-stroke win two years ago and his winning total of 19-under-par 269 then was also the lowest so far.

Hung Chien-yao of Chinese Taipei and Suteepat Prateeptienchai (right) of Thailand

“I must thank my playing partner Suteepat (Prateeptienchai) today. We chatted a lot and he made me feel very comfortable out there. I am happy to make a new friend! He’s likely to win the ADT Order of Merit so I am very happy for him. I look forward to playing and practising with him on the Asian Tour next year,” said Hung.

The 30-year-old Hung, who has won three titles in 10 starts on his domestic circuit this year, successfully retained his playing rights on the Asian Tour for 2023 after ending his season in 59th place on the Order of Merit.

“I just want to do my best out there tomorrow and focus on every shot I hit. I hit some good shots today too and I guess I was lucky as well. Made some mistakes today, Suteepat and I both hit it out of bounds on the 14th and I bogeyed the next hole too.

“I’m just competing against myself tomorrow. I can accept bogeys because mistakes are bound to happen, but I can’t accept double bogeys as those are caused by wayward drives. I will need to take note of that tomorrow. I really wasn’t thinking about the scores today and I think that helped,” added Hung, who has won once before on the ADT, in 2013.

Lee Chieh-po of Chinese Taipei

Defending champion Lee Chieh-po of Chinese Taipei complained of poor iron-play as he returned a 70 to sit in second place. His countryman Kevin Yu, a PGA TOUR player, battled to a 72 to trail eight shots off the pace in third on 212.

“I am very disappointed with my iron-play. I gave myself good opportunities to attack the pins but I didn’t take advantage of them. Disappointing to not close the gap on the leader but I’m going to work on it later and see how it goes tomorrow,” said the 28-year-old Lee.

ADT Order of Merit leader Suteepat, a three-time winner this season, slipped to a share of fifth on 214 after stumbling with a disappointing 75.

Suteepat Prateeptienchai of Thailand

The winner of the Taifong Open, which is celebrating its seventh edition on the ADT this week, will take home a prize purse of US$35,000. The popular event returned to the ADT for its seventh edition this week.

The top-10 finishers on the final Merit list after completion of play on Sunday will secure their Asian Tour cards for the 2023 season.

Photos courtesy of Chung500