Taiwan Masters: Bhullar rises to fifth

Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar turned in the second-best card of the day -- a four-under 68 -- to make a sharp upward move to tied fifth after the third round of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in on Saturday.

Bhullar, winner in Taipei two weeks ago, rose from 34th to fifth with a round of 68 at the 6923 Yards Tamsui Course.

The only other Indian to make the cut, Anirban Lahiri, also moved up two places from tied 16th to 14th despite a round of 75.

The day's best came from local hope Tsai Chi-huang, who celebrated his 44th birthday with a seven-under 65 as he opened up a six-shot lead at the end of the third round.

Joint-overnight leader Tsai put himself in prime position of repeating his triumph in the event in 2002 as he posted a three-day total of eight-under 208 in relatively calm conditions at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.

Bhullar, who has been having a great season, gave himself a chance of moving further up on the Order of Merit from his current sixth place, as he handled the conditions well.

Bhullar won the Yeangder TPC two weeks ago but failed to repeat the magic in Japan last week.

Baek Seuk-hyun of Korea carded a 71 courtesy of a chip in birdie on 17 to lie in second place and is still in the running of winning his first Asian Tour title at the $ 600,000 event.

Filipino veteran Antonio Lascuna was a shot back in third followed by Malaysia's Danny Chia, who shot a third consecutive 72.

Tsai, winner of the 1997 Taiwan Open and 1998 Taiwan Masters, wielded a hot putter as he birdied the last three holes in a round of eight birdies and one bogey. The veteran grew up playing at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club and took advantage of his local knowledge

Baek, who has three-top 10s on the Asian Tour this season, was one-over for the tournament after 10 holes but recovered with a pair of birdies on 16 and 17. The burly Korean, who stays in Thailand, is not concerned with Tsai's massive lead.

Photograph: Sukree Sukplang/Reuters