Park strolls to top of Asia-Pacific Open

Park Sung-joon of Korea continued his great form after carding a third round three-under-par 68 to charge into a two-shot lead at the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open golf tournament Saturday.

The slightly-built Korean, who has not missed a single cut in Japan this season, overcame the tough playing conditions with four birdies against one bogey for a seven-under-par 206 at the Ibaraki Country Club, Osaka.

Asian Tour honorary member and Asia's first male major champion Y.E Yang of Korea sank a 15 footer eagle putt on the last for a 69 to share second place with Japan's Tetsuji Hiratsuka (71), Masahiro Kawamura (71) and Akio Sadakata (68).

 

Overnight leader Pariya Junhasavasdikul of Thailand slipped back to tied sixth after posting a disappointing 74 to trail Park by three shots at the 150 million Yen (approximately $1.48 million) event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.