Shaurya Bhattacharya and Karandeep Kochhar moved inside the top 25 after impressive third rounds at Linkou International Golf & Country Club.

Shaurya Bhattacharya and Karandeep Kochhar remained in contention for strong finishes after climbing inside the top 25 with one round remaining at the Asian Tour’s Yeangder TPC in Chinese Taipei.

Bhattacharya produced a second successive six-under 66 to reach 11-under and move into tied 20th. He will begin the final round eight strokes behind Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert.

The Indian’s eventful round featured an eagle and six birdies against two bogeys. After opening with a 73, Bhattacharya has recovered strongly with consecutive 66s.

Kochhar made an even bigger move, firing a bogey-free seven-under 65 to rise to tied 25th at 10-under. The IGPL player recorded seven birdies, including four in succession on the front nine, following earlier rounds of 70 and 71.

Bhattacharya and Kochhar were the only two Indians to make the halfway cut.

At the top, Tangkamolprasert retained the lead for the third consecutive day after a 67 lifted him to 19-under. The Thai golfer, seeking his first Asian Tour victory in nearly seven years, will carry a one-stroke advantage into the final round.

Defending champion Kazuki Higa also shot 67 to move into second at 18-under.

Miguel Tabuena matched the lowest round of the week with a 62 to join Taichi Kho, Peter Uihlein and Chien-yao Hung in a four-way tie for third, three strokes behind the leader.

Kho, winner of the International Series Morocco in June, will attempt to claim consecutive Asian Tour titles. That victory moved him to second in the Order of Merit and strengthened his push for a DP World Tour card.

Order of Merit leader Travis Smyth remained within five strokes of the lead after returning a third-round 66.

Photo – Asian Tour