Im cards 1-under 69 to sit at 14 under alongside Wang Wei-hsuan of Taiwan
Double bogey on 16th hole costs sole lead; birdie on 18th salvages tie
Im Sung-jae will enter the final round of the Asian Tour SJM Macao Open ($1 million purse) having held at least a share of the lead for three consecutive days.
Im carded five birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey for a 1-under 69 in the third round Saturday at Macao Golf and Country Club (par 70) in Macao, China.
His three-round total of 14-under 196 left him tied at the top with Wang Wei-hsuan of Taiwan, who shot a 4-under 66. Im leads joint third-place finishers Justin Quiban of the Philippines and Xuan Di of China by four strokes, with both sitting at 10-under 200.
Im had opened with a 6-under 64 to share the first-round lead, then pulled three strokes clear with a 7-under 63 in the second round. He could not extend that advantage Saturday, however, allowing Wang to draw level.
After going bogey-free with 13 birdies over the first two rounds, Im picked up a birdie on the third hole (par 4) but dropped his first bogey of the tournament on the fifth (par 4). He then birdied the eighth and ninth holes (both par 4) consecutively to turn at 2 under for the day.
On the back nine, Im bogeyed the 11th hole (par 3) before recovering with a birdie on the 15th (par 4). A double bogey on the 16th (par 4) cost him strokes, but he closed with a birdie on the 18th (par 5) to finish in a share of the lead.
Wang posted five birdies against one bogey for his 4-under round. He birdied the 14th and 15th holes consecutively, then added another on the 18th to draw level with Im.
Paul Casey of England, Henrik Stenson of Sweden and Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand were among those tied for fifth at 9-under 201.
Im, a two-time PGA Tour winner, finished joint seventh at this event last year. He will chase his first Asian Tour title in Sunday's final round.
yjc@heraldcorp.com
