Taiwan, Nov 24: Maarten Lafeber of the Netherlands has a one stroke lead after the third round of the Asian Open golf tournament in Taiwan on Saturday (November 23). Lafeber's four shot overnight lead was cut to the narrowest of margins on a breezy day at the Ta Shee Golf and Country Club after a third round 71 for a total of 203. His nearest rivals, Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Trevor Immelman of South Africa, both posted rounds of 68 to move to 12 under par 204. Lafeber, chasing his maiden European Tour title, picked up three birdies with only two dropped shots, the second disappointingly on the 17th, to remain at the top of the leaderboard.
Harrington, looking to launch his 2003 campaign with a victory after finishing runner-up in the 2002 Volvo Order of Merit, fired six birdies and two dropped shots to lie alongside Immelman..


American Andrew Pitts recorded an impressive, bogey-free third round of 69 to lie fourth on 206, ten under par.


Two shots further behind are Thongchair Jaidee of Thailand, who eagled the par-5 14th hole on his way to a round of 70, and Welshman Ian Woosnam, who fired a four under par round of 68 for a three round total of 208.


Leading scores after the third round of the $1.5 million Asian Open golf tournament at the par-72 Ta Shee Country Club on Saturday:


Bureau Report