Golf: Taiwan's Lin Wen-tang leads Solaire Open in Manila

Taiwan's Lin Wen-tang held on to his lead in the third round of the Solaire Open in Manila on Saturday despite dropping two shots in the last three holes.

Lin, a five-time Asian Tour winner, bogeyed holes 16 and 17 for a round of two-under-par 70, at the inaugural USD 300,000 event at the challenging Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in the Philippine capital.

Thai veteran Thammanoon Sriroj was one shot down after a round of 71 that included five birdies and four bogeys, while countryman Pawin Ingkhapradit (71) and Elmer Salvador (71) of the Philippines were a further shot back.

Lin, 39, who has not won on the Asian Tour since 2009, said: "I don't know if I can still win on Sunday because it has been a long time since I last won.

"I just want to enjoy the tournament. I will try and relax because I'm excited about my round."

Thammanoon, 43, who is naturally left-handed but was pressured by his brothers to play golf right-handed, said he needs a proper game plan on Sunday.

"If you look at my score, you will know how inconsistent I was today. My head wasn't in the right place," said the Thai, who also has five Asian Tour titles, the last in 2004.

"I made many wrong club selections and that backfired on me. It was disappointing. I need to really plan my round."

Indians Rahil Gangjee (tied 24th, in pic), Abhinav Lohan (tied 35th), Sujjan Singh (tied 60th) slipped from where they started the tourney.

Scores after round 2 of the Solaire Open 2013 at the par 72, 7,222-yard Wack Wack Golf and Country Club:

212 - Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 69-73-70

213 - Thammanoon Sriroj (THA) 73-69-71

214 - Pawin Ingkhapradit (THA) 68-75-71, Elmer Salvador (PHI) 74-69-71

215 - Sam Cyr (USA) 76-70-69, Kim Gi-whan (KOR) 72-71-72

216 - Dodge Kemmer (USA) 66-79-71, Unho Park (AUS) 73-71-72, Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 73-71-72.