Singaporean veteran Mardan Mamat produced some key putts to hold off local hope, teenager Miguel Tabuena, in an intriguing third round at the Philippine Open on Saturday.
Mardan, chasing a third Asian Tour victory, holed several huge par saves en route to a battling two-under-par 70 at a wind-swept Wack Wack Golf and Country Club’s East course to lead by one stroke on seven-under.
His overnight three-shot lead was reduced by Tabuena’s brilliant course record-equalling five-under 67, while Korea’s Mo Joong-kyung fired a 68 to trail by two with only the top-three players breaking par after 54 holes.
The 44-year-old Mardan, winless since 2006, didn’t swing it as smoothly as Friday’s second round but his putter came through as he carded four birdies against two bogeys to set up an intriguing battle of the ages with local favourite and 17-year-old Tabuena.
“I was struggling with my irons and hit a lot of fliers but I holed a lot of putts,” said Mardan.
“The putt on No.8 was unbelievable. Yesterday, I hit the ball good but didn’t putt it good. Today, I didn’t hit it good but putted good.”
“It comes and goes. Hopefully both will come together tomorrow.”
The tenacious Tabuena closed the gap on Mardan with a glorious start, sinking four birdies in his opening six holes.
He notched three more birdies against two bogeys to set up what would be the biggest day of his young golfing life just yet.
“I can’t wait for tomorrow. It wasn’t easy. I just told myself to stay patient and hit fairways and greens and it worked. I started out quick. It is really hard to make mistakes when you’re in a zone. It was fun. It was really hard to make mistakes,” said Tabuena, who is bidding to become the third youngest winner on the Asian Tour.
Paul Donahoo is the best of the Australian contingent, but is eight strokes off the pace after posting a two-over 74 on Saturday.
He is one stroke ahead of compatriot Marcus Both, who also posted a 74 in his third round.