Jakarta: Scott Vincent has finished first and joint second in his last two events on the Asian Tour and is in the hunt once again after taking a share of the third-round lead in the Jakarta International Championship yesterday.
The Zimbabwean, whose impressive season has seen him move into second place on both the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series Rankings, shot a brilliant bogey-free eight-under-par 62.
He leads on 11-under with India's Gaganjeet Bhullar and Australian Wade Ormsby at Damai Indah Golf -- PIK Course.
Bhullar returned a 69 while Ormsby at 67. Ormsby looked set to finish the day with a one-shot lead but after finishing his round officials informed him he would receive a one-shot penalty because his ball moved when he addressed it on the fourth.
Thailand's Sadom Kaewkanjana (64) and Poom Saksansin (66) are next best placed one shot back.
This week's US$2million event is part of The International Series -- a set of upper-tier events on the Asian Tour that offer a pathway to the LIV Golf League.
Winning The International Rankings brings with it a place on the LIV Golf League. Vincent did just that in 2022, during the inaugural season on The International Series, and after another fine round yesterday is edging closer to a return to the multi-million dollar franchise.
"It was amazing, what a blessing," said Vincent, who registered eight birdies yesterday, including three in a row from the first, and another hat-trick from the 12th.
Bhullar will attempt to win his sixth Asian Tour event in Indonesia today, and his 12th title in total.
A double-bogey six on the ninth knocked him off top spot but he got back into contention with back-to-back birdies on 12 and 13 and a bogey-free back nine.
Sadom, winner of the Kolon Korea Open in May, is one of those who will fancy his chances today. "I feel I played pretty solid," he said. "I played in the morning, the second group, so it was lucky to play without wind. On the last four or five holes it was very windy, so I think it was going to be tough.
"My game is getting better than the first half of the year. I'm trying to practise harder and do everything harder, and it's getting better."