Bangkok, Thailand, December 01: Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines stayed accurate off the tees to post a four-under-par 66 and storm into the outright lead at the penultimate round of the Queen’s Cup hosted by Jaidee Foundation on Saturday.

The 24-year-old Tabuena drew encouragement from his father Luigi watching him on the sidelines, to birdie three of his closing four holes and seize the lead late in the day by two shots over defending champion Jazz Janewattananond at the US$500,000 event held at Legacy Golf Club.

Tabuena, who stayed bogey-free for 37 holes till his scorecard was marred by a bogey on hole two, traded six birdies against two bogeys for a 16-under-par 194 total, at the event hosted by three-time Asian Tour number one Thongchai Jaidee.

Two-time Asian Tour winner Jazz, who had a hot putter to thank for, only needed 21 putts in his round of 68 to take second place on his own and remain on course for a successful title defence.

Thailand’s Natipong Srithong, who started the round with a five-shot deficit, put his foot on the gas pedal and shot a 65 to share third place on 197 with overnight leader, American Johannes Veerman, who battled to a 72.

Natipong’s solid bogey-free round highlighted by five birdies set him up nicely for a second title charge since his maiden victory in Philippines in 2015.

American Sihwan Kim, currently ranked eighth on the Habitat for Humanity Standings, was among three bunched in fifth place at the 11th edition of the event held in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.

Did you know?

•            Miguel Tabuena joined the play-for-pay ranks when he was just 17-years-old.

•            He claimed his maiden victory at the Philippine Open in 2015, becoming the first Filipino to win his National Open since 2008.

•            Tabuena was accurate off the tees where he only missed one fairway and hit 13 greens-in-regulation for his commendable round of 66.

•            Jazz Janewattananond is defending his title this week, which also marks his ninth appearance at the Queen’s Cup.

•            Including his win at this event in July, he has finished in the top-five on three occasions.

•            Jazz had a three-day total of 196, which is two shots better than his 54-hole total when he won in July.

•            Natipong Srithong will be hoping to end a three-year title drought on the Asian Tour this week. His last win came at the Resorts World Manila Masters in 2015.

•            Natipong finished tied-sixth at the Queen’s Cup in July, which was his best result in his past three appearances at the event.

•            The 24-year-old completed six years of study in undergrad law in June.

•            Johannes Veerman came through Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2016. He is chasing a breakthrough victory on the region’s premier Tour this week.

•            By dink of winning the richest event on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) schedule, he became the third American to take home the ADT Order of Merit crown.

Players’ Quotes:

Miguel Tabuena (Phi) – Third Round 66 (-4), Total 194 (-16)

I didn’t start the way I wanted it to start. I made a bogey on the second hole but it came pretty early in the round. Hole number two isn’t an easy hole to par because it is a pretty long hole and I kept telling myself that there was still a lot of birdie holes left. So, I was happy with how I recovered and did well to catch up.

I didn’t really look at the leaderboard and I stuck to my game plan all day so hopefully it will work all the way till the 18th hole tomorrow.

I do draw encouragement from my father coming to watch me. It’s always such a pleasure having him around because he travels a lot and I rarely see him. But it also adds a little bit of pressure because I really want to do well in front of him.

Jazz Janewattananond (Tha) – Third Round 68 (-2), Total 196 (-14)

I started out really slow. Couldn’t really hit the shots that I wanted and I wasn’t making a lot of putts. I found a little bit of momentum in the second nine. I ha done chip-in on the par-three 12th hole that saved my round.

I was scrambling throughout the round, didn’t hit a lot of greens. My short game really helped today. If I didn’t make as many up-and-downs I don’t think my name would be up there today.

I get to play in the last group again tomorrow. It’s good that I’m there so I can keep my eye on Miguel. I’m just going to relax today and think through my round and get myself ready for tomorrow.

Natipong Srithong (Tha) – Third Round 65 (-5). Total 197 (-13)

On the front nine my tee shots were not very good but my putting was good. It was the other way around on the back nine where my tee shots were better but I wasn’t making as many putts.

I played pretty safe for the most part of today and just stuck to my game plan of fairways and greens. Hole five was my turning point when I made a birdie after hitting my approach to two-feet.

I have no expectations but I am happy with my position right now. I will just keep this steady pace and hope for the best tomorrow.

Johannes Veerman (Usa) – Third Round 70 (E), Total 197 (-13)

I hit it really well today. I hit a lot of greens and made a lot of putts. It is nice to know that I am hitting it well so that leaves the ability to go low and I am only three back of Miguel who played really great today.

It’s nice to be in this position going into the final round, I am hitting it well and my game is in great shape so we’ll see how it goes out there tomorrow.

Sihwan Kim (Usa) – Third Round 66 (-4), Total 201 (-9)

I hit it really well, left a lot of putts out there but it was still a good round. The wind made it a little trickier today but other than that its been pretty much the same as yesterday.

I just kept a steady pace all. I hit it pretty consistently all day and just had a steady momentum. No holes that were outstanding today but I am still in a good position.

Looking at the scores right now looks like I have a little more than five strokes that I have to gain. So hopefully my putter will fall in better tomorrow and we’ll see how it goes.