Wang remains on top after 3 rounds at Riviera

Wang Jeung-hun of Korea rode on a three-birdie stint in the last nine holes to salvage a one-over-par 72 and hold off Jobim Carlos and John Kier Abdon in the third round of the Philippine Amateur Open Championships at the Riviera Golf and Country Club in Silang, Cavite. With a 214 heading into the final 18, the 15-year-old Korean expat is riding high on to an eight-stroke lead to virtually secure in the title. In the ladies side, Chihiro Ikeda appeared headed to clinch the tiara as she tamed the winds with a one-under 70 (144), seven clear off second running Dottie Ardina, who is chasing her first Phil-Am win. Carlos played to an even-par 71 in windy conditions for 222 and was the closest Filipino challenger. Abdon, the opening day co-leader, was 13 shots off the pace with a 227 after a 74. Sung Hwan-yoon, another Korean expatriate, also matched par for 228 and squeezed himself in the final group for Friday. Art Arbole (75) and teener Gio Gandionco, (79) were tied on 234. Thailand's Somprad Pattasuwan ballooned to an 80 and 237. Ikeda, meanwhile, is one day away from her fourth victory this season. She already won the Philippine Ladies Amateur Open, Southern Ladies and Thailand Ladies Open. Still, experience tells her that it is far from over. "I'm getting there. I need to play the way I did today, or better, otherwise others will catch up. The winds can make or break anyone here," she said. Thailand’' Pavarisa Yoktuan was third with 73-153. She made a hole-in-one on the par-three, No. 4 using a Fourteen 9-iron club. Andrea Unson had 76 for 154 with the comebacking Jayvie Agojo was in fifth with 78-157. - Adrian Flores, JVP, GMA News