Noh edges closer to first win at Midea China Classic

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GUANGZHOU, China -- Korean teenager Noh Seung-yul continued his remarkable run at the $500,000 Midea China Classic by taking a two-stroke lead over Australia's Terry Pilkadaris and fellow compatriot Park Jun-won.

Noh posted a 4-under-par 67 to take the outright lead at the top on 14-under-par 199 total with both Pilkadaris and Park trailing behind on matching 201s.

Chinese Taipei's Lin Wen-tang, who started the day tied for 23rd place made one of the biggest moves of the day to move into a tie for fourth on 202. The three-time Asian Tour winner shares fourth spot with fellow Chinese Taipei's Lu Wei-chih and Malaysia's S. Siva Chandhran.

It was the perfect showcase of experience versus youth when the 34-year-old Pilkadaris took on 17-year-old Noh and 22-year old Park.

There was a lot of movement at the top with the lead changing hands between Pilkadarsis and Noh until Noh sank two birdies in the 16th and 18th to take sole possession of the lead.

"Terry got off to a good start with an opening eagle. But I did not let that distract me in any way. I continued to play my own game, which was to attack the pins and not make any bogeys," said Noh who would have an otherwise blemish-free round had he not dropped a shot on the 17th.

"I've been in the leader group only to falter at the last hurdle before. But this time, I believe I've matured and I'm ready to handle the pressure at the final round," added Noh.

Pilkadaris, a three-time winner on the Asian Tour, is aware of the challenges ahead of Sunday's final round but hopes that his wealth of playing experience will give him that added advantage.

"Playing in the same flight with the young Koreans was a big challenge. The boys were playing so much like seasoned veterans!" said Pilkadaris.

"However, I hope to draw on all my winning experience to move back into contention tomorrow," added the Australian.

Meanwhile, Lin went on a birdie blitz at the Royal Orchid International Golf Club by posting the most number of birdies for the day.

Apart from a bogey on the fifth, he recorded a total of eight birdies to keep himself in contention for this fourth Asian Tour title.

"Everything went well for me except for that bogey on the fifth. This is a very short course where water is seldom in play. As long as you keep the ball out of the bunker, you should be okay," said the three-time Asian Tour winner.

"I hope to continue doing what I've been doing the whole week and hopefully add a fourth Asian Tour win to my record," added Lin.

China's Liang Wen-chong and home favourite posted his best score of 67 to finish in tied for 13th, five shots off the lead.

"We live only about an hour's drive from this course and my wife and son are watching me play this week. It's always nice to have your family around cheering you on and hopefully I can raise my game to greater heights tomorrow," said Liang.