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Strong finish sees Hansen join Pittayarat on top
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Strong finish sees Hansen join Pittayarat on top

A late hat-trick of birdies saw Anders Hansen catch Panuphol Pittayarat at the top of The Championship at Laguna National leaderboard.

Dane Hansen, playing only his fourth event since a six-month absence during which he underwent wrist surgery, posted a third round 67 in Singapore.

That saw him join Thailand’s Pittayarat on 16 under par – the overnight leader signing for a 69.

American David Lipsky and Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen are two shots off the lead in a share of third, with France’s Grégory Bourdy and England’s Chris Wood sharing fifth on 13 under.

Tougher pin placements reined in some of the low scoring seen over the first two days, but Hansen was able to birdie the first after an approach to six feet.

A 12 footer at the short eighth saw him turn in 34, and after birdieing the long 15th he holed from 25 feet at the 16th and 17th to post a blemish-free round.

“I’m very pleased,” said the three-time European Tour winner. “I didn’t hit the ball that great today but I made a couple of good putts on the last few holes.

“I hit a lot of greens but I just didn’t hit it as close as I have done the last couple of days.

“It was nice to finish with those three birides - it was a little more windy today so it was more tricky. It was a great finish.

“Everytime you are up there you have to be pleased so I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I love competition and I love playing under the gun - it gets your attention.”

The 21 year old Pittayarat made four birdies but dropped only his second shot of the week at the 17th after bailing out left at the par three, which features water down the right side.

“I came into this week missing three straight cuts on the Asian Tour this season,” said Pittayarat. “My performance so far this week has definitely give me a boost in confidence.

“Whatever happens, happens tomorrow; I will just try and play my own game.”

Derksen plans to retire at the end of the season, but the 40 year old – who collected the last of his two European Tour victories nine years ago – carded eight birdies in his round of 67.

“I’m playing really well and hitting it nice from the tee and to the green,” he said. “I’m still struggling a bit on the greens.

“There is plenty of good stuff though and hopefully I can get rid of the bad stuff tomorrow.

“Like Hong Kong this is one of the shorter courses but you have to think your way round, and I think that suits my game - hopefully I can do well again tomorrow.

“It would be lovely to go out at the end of the season with one more win. To get into the top 60 and to win once more before I retire would be a wonderful way to go out.”

Lipsky had six birdies but, like Pittayarat, bogeyed the daunting 17th.

Chile’s Felipe Aguilar had moved into the lead with three birdies in his first 12 holes, but double bogeyed the 13th after his approach found water and a dropped shot at the penultimate hole saw him sign for a 72 and remain 12 under for the week.

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