Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan and Atiruj Winaicharoenchai held their nerve to keep a firm grip on the leaderboard after the third round of the US$1 million Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Saturday, as Thai players crowded the top spots at Taiwan Golf & Country Club.
Rattanon, despite finding only four fairways off the tee, produced a steady round of 70, limiting mistakes to just one bogey. His sharp short game and clutch putting kept him tied at the top on six-under-par 210. Atiruj, who started the day as leader by two shots, carded a 73 after a late double bogey but remained in joint lead.
Just three shots behind, fellow Thais Jazz Janewattananond (70), Nitithorn Thippong (70), and Suradit Yongcharoenchai (74) made it a strong showing for Thailand, occupying third place. Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig (71) and Australia’s veteran Scott Hend (75) were the best-placed non-Thais, tied sixth at two-under, while American MJ Maguire (69) and Korea’s Jeunghun Wang (74) followed a stroke further back.
For Rattanon, winner of the 2017 Thailand Open and last year’s SJM Macao Open, the round was a reminder of his resilience. “I hit the driver so badly, maybe just four fairways, but my short game was good. I made four or five par putts from 10 feet. I just tried to stay calm and play my own game,” said the 30-year-old Bangkok native.
Atiruj, seeking his maiden Asian Tour title, admitted struggles with putting and tee shots. “Most of my ups and downs were just for pars. Even my birdies came from chip-and-putts. On the 16th, I missed right and had no angle, then three-putted. Tomorrow is a big day, but I’m not thinking about my first win. If it happens, it happens,” said the 25-year-old.
Local hope Wang Wei-hsuan, celebrating his 25th birthday, climbed into tied-10th with a 70 despite double bogeys late on 14 and 17. “I putted really well on the front nine, but got too aggressive on the back. Still, I feel relaxed and excited for tomorrow,” Wang said.
Now in its 39th edition and part of the Asian Tour since 2000, the Taiwan Masters heads into Sunday’s final round with Thai golfers firmly in command, setting the stage for a potentially historic finish.
About Asian Tour
The Asian Tour represents the pinnacle of professional golf in the region.
Celebrated as the most vibrant, youthful and diverse golf tour in the world, it has built a reputation for intense competition on the course and warm camaraderie off it.
The Tour, which was launched in 2004, is responsible for looking after the best interests of over 350 members, representing 35 countries managing a year-long schedule of events across five continents.
With Asia being the next powerhouse region for golf, the Tour is the steward of its legacy.
Central to its structure is the Asian Tour Order of Merit – a points-based player ranking system.
Since 2022, The International Series has featured prominently. Consisting of 10 upper-tier events integrated into the schedule, the landmark initiative provides a pathway to the LIV Golf League via The International Series Rankings.
The Tour is the official sanctioning body for professional golf in the region and a member of the International Federation of PGA Tours. Also, it is an affiliate of The R&A and all sanctioned events qualify for Official World Golf Ranking points.
It controls its television production and distribution through Asian Tour Media (a joint venture with IMG) which broadcasts to over 100 countries worldwide.
The Tour also operates the Asian Development Tour – the popular feeder circuit that nurtures the next generation of stars.
Its eco-system also includes the Qualifying School which attracts over 650 entrants vying for 35 cards for the following season.
In 2018, it set up Asian Tour Destinations – an affiliate network with exclusive, world-class golfing venues across the region.
Rolex, Kweichow Moutai and Bluewater are the Tour’s three main partners.
The Tour is headquartered on Sentosa Island in Singapore, home to the award winning Sentosa Golf Club – a member of Asian Tour Destinations.
