Pucay stays alive in Taipei tourney

MANILA, Philippines - Mars Pucay stayed in the hunt for a breakthrough win on the Asian Tour as he carded a second straight 71 and stood three shots behind Taiwanese Chan Shih-chang in the third round of the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship in Taipei yesterday.

Pucay gunned down two birdies against a bogey in a tough day at Linkou International Golf and Country Club with no one shooting lower than 70. Chan’s two-under card gave him a 54-hole of seven-under 209, two shots ahead of compatriot Lu Wen-teh, who had a 71 for a 211.

Pucay, still in search of a big win in a pro career spanning 17 years, pooled a 212 in a tie with erstwhile joint leader Khor Kheng Hwai of Malaysia, who fumbled with a 73.

But while Pucay remained in the title race, the other Filipino bets bowed out of contention with Juvic Pagunsan making a 75 for a 221 and Elmer Salvador hobbling with a 77 for a 225.

A pair of Taiwanese – Lin Wen-hong and Lu Wei-chih were at 214 after identical 71s in a tie with Thai Chapchai Nirat, who struggled with a 74.