Bayron zooms ahead with 67 in Malaysian golf

MANILA, Philippines - Jay Bayron frolicked on the putting surface and shot a bogey-free five-under 67 as he charged to a three-shot lead over erstwhile two-day leader Hsu Mong-nan of Chinese Taipei in the third round of the PGM Eastwood Valley Masters in Malaysia yesterday.

“I putted very well and if I can continue to play like how I did, I’m sure I can win. I like this golf course and I seem to read the greens well,” said the 38-year-old Bayron, who trailed Hsu by one in the first two rounds with 67-71 before finally moving on top of the $80,000 Asian Development Tour event with a 205.

Hsu settled for a second 71 and slid to second at 208 with Korean Park Jin-woo a stroke behind at third at 209 after a three-under 69. 

Bayron pressed his bid early, birdying the opening hole to force a tie then took the lead at the turn with a 34. He gunned down a pair of birdies from the 10th hole then capped his solid round with another birdie on the 18th.

Currently third on the ADT Order of Merit, Bayron knows a victory this week will boost his rankings and put him a step closer of earning an Asian Tour card for 2013.

“It is so important for me to earn an Asian Tour card. If I win, I think I will definitely finish in the top three of the Order of Merit at the end of the season. It is going to be an exciting final round for me,” said Bayron.

Nicholas Fung of Malaysia, who won two titles in the last two weeks, matched Bayron’s score of 67 but stood five shots off the pace at 210. 

Mhark Fernando carded a 71 for a 214 while Carl Santos-Ocampo also had a 71 for a 215.

The ADT has grown from five events since its inauguration in 2010 and has expanded to a record of 13 events this year. The ADT will also be afforded with Official World Golf Ranking status in 2013 which is a huge boost for the development of the game in Asia.