Rattanon Wannasrichan and Atiruj Winaicharoenchai led a leaderboard dominated by Thai players after the third round of the US$1 million Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Saturday.

Rattanon (70) found just four fairways off the tee but still managed to score well and limit the damage to just one bogey at Taiwan Golf & Country Club, while Atiruj (73), leader by two at the start of the round, endured a late double bogey in an otherwise solid outing.

The Thai duo are at six-under par 210 heading into Sunday’s final round, leading by three shots over three of their compatriots – Jazz Janewattananond (70), Nitithorn Thippong (70), and Suradit Yongcharoenchai (74).

The first non-Thai players on the leaderboard were Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig (71) and veteran Australian Scott Hend (75), who were tied sixth at two-under, while American MJ Maguire (69) and Korea’s Jeunghun Wang (74) were tied eighth one stroke further behind.

Rattanon steadies with short game

Rattanon, winner of the 2017 Thailand Open, needed almost seven years for his second Asian Tour title at last year’s SJM Macao Open, but now sits in position for a quicker follow-up. The 30-year-old from Bangkok struggled with his driver, hitting only four fairways, but relied on his highly rated short game to stay on top.

After nearly holing his tee shot on the par-three second, he added two more birdies and limited mistakes to a single bogey on the 11th hole.

Atiruj keeps focus despite slip

Atiruj, who is chasing his first Asian Tour victory, bogeyed the opening hole but made birdies on two par-fives before a double bogey on the 16th set him back. He admitted to struggling with his tee shots and failing to convert birdie chances with the putter.

“I just kept my focus on the next shot. I was trying to make some birdies because I know on this golf course, you are going to lose some shots,” said the 25-year-old Bangkok native. “Yeah, big day tomorrow, but I am not thinking about my first Asian Tour win at all. If it happens, it’s OK, and if it doesn’t, it’s OK too.”