Both takes lead at Asian Golf Championship

Xiamen (China), Dec 2 (IANS) Three-time Asian Tour winner Marcus Both leveraged on his immense experience and sound course management to card a three-under-par 69 and seize the third-round lead by one stroke at the Asian Golf Championship here on Saturday.

The 38-year-old, who claimed his breakthrough Asian Tour win at the 2003 Sanya Open in China, put on a flawless performance to compile a three-day total of six-under-par 210 at Kaikou Golf Club's West course.

Starting the day with a three-shot deficit, Both rode on his hot putter to stay bogey-free for 36 holes and move atop the leaderboard with birdies on the sixth, 14th and 15th holes at the challenging Greg Norman-designed course.

Overnight leader Bowen Xiao of China slipped to second following a 71 while England's Callum Tarren (70) and Namchok Tantipokhakul (74) of Thailand shared third on 213 in the US$350,000 event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the China Golf Association.

Liu Yan-wei, highest-ranked Chinese player on the Official World Golf Rankings in the field this week, remained in contention for a maiden win after battling to a 72 to stay five shots off the pace in fifth place on his own.

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