Asian Tour: red-hot putter puts Zheng in control at International Series Philippines
China’s Sampson Zheng cards a superb 10-under-par 62 to join local star Miguel Tabuena and Sarit Suwannarut in three-way tie for lead
Sta Elena Golf Club does not yet have an official course record and the preferred lies in place this week means the International Series Philippines will pass without one being set, but on another day Sampson Zheng may well have laid claim to the title.
The 24-year-old carded an almost flawless 10-under-par 62 on Saturday, moving to 17 under overall and in tie for the lead with local star Miguel Tabuena and Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut.
Tabuena hardly struggled, firing in two eagles on the way to a third round 65, while Sarit, who began the day with a four-shot advantage, managed a more sedate 69.
Zheng, though, had one of those days when he could not miss with the putter, and even when leaving himself some work to do, as he did on 18 when he misshit his approach, the Chinese golfer still got down for par.
“I honestly didn’t feel like I did anything super special, but just stuck to the game plan, hit a lot of greens, hit a lot of shots very close and fortunately made some putts.
“The greens have been rolling better every day, and it seems like it’s been getting a little bit faster, and it definitely got a little fast towards the end when it dried out.”