Hung Chien-yao is one round away from finally breaking through on home turf. The Chinese Taipei golfer seized the third-round lead at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, putting himself in prime position for his first-ever Asian Tour victory.

Hung carded a two-under-par 70 to reach seven under overall, taking a one-shot lead over compatriot Shen Wei-cheng and Malaysia’s Gavin Green, the 2017 champion at this event. Both shot matching rounds to stay within striking distance heading into Sunday.

A Rocky Round Settled by Late Birdies

Hung’s round was far from smooth despite the strong finish on the leaderboard. He birdied his first two holes before stumbling with a bogey on six and a double bogey on the 10th, playing in the final group alongside overnight leader Chang Wei-lun.

He steadied himself down the stretch with birdies on 14 and 15 to reclaim control of the tournament. Hung, whose wife, Cindy, is caddying for him this week, said he stayed calm even after the difficult stretch mid-round.

“I was kind of upset [after the double on 10], but that was all right because I know number 10 is always a tough hole,” Hung said. “So, yeah, I’m okay with that. I mean, maybe not double, but I’m okay with a bogey. I should have just played smarter to make just a bogey.”

Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai sits one shot further back in solo fourth after a round of 72. Chang, meanwhile, fell three shots off the pace following back-to-back double bogeys on the eighth and 13th, dropping into a share of fifth place.

Chasing History in Front of a Home Crowd

A win Sunday would mark a milestone for the 34-year-old, who has never claimed a title on the Asian Tour despite years of consistent contention. He finished third at the Yeangder TPC last week, extending his record to 11 top-five finishes across 13 seasons on tour.

Hung’s best Asian Tour result remains a runner-up finish at the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open last year. He has, however, found plenty of success closer to home, winning the Ambassador ADT Open in July for his third Asian Development Tour title.

Remarkably, Hung has captured 15 victories on Taiwan’s domestic tour since 2013, including his three ADT wins. He said the strong local following at this week’s event has only added to his motivation heading into the final round.

“I know a lot of crowds, a lot of spectators, are actually here for me, so I’m just gonna enjoy the round tomorrow and just try to hit a lot of good shots to show everybody,” Hung said.

Green, for his part, posted a steady round of two birdies against one bogey to stay in contention for his first Asian Tour win since claiming this same title nine years ago. He acknowledged that a hot putter could have pushed his score even lower.

“Actually, I could have gotten pretty good, just missed a lot of putts early on,” Green said. “Hitting it all right, hitting a lot of fairways, a lot of greens, just not making any putts.”

The 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner has spent recent seasons focused on the DP World Tour, with his 2026 campaign disrupted by a bout of tennis elbow. He said being back at the scene of one of his biggest career wins has been a welcome return.

“As long as I can just continue with that consistency, you know, whatever happens, happens,” Green said. “But all I know is I’m enjoying myself. For me, this is like home again. So, yeah, it’s good to be back.”

Elsewhere on the leaderboard, Australia’s Jed Morgan and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond each shot 69, while Korea’s Jeunghun Wang carded a 70. American Shotaro Ban and Chinese Taipei’s Hsieh Ting-wei both posted 71 to join Chang in a tie for fifth.

Thailand’s Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat continued his strong start as a professional, firing a 71 to sit in a tie for 19th place at one under par in just his second tournament since turning pro.