“Lim Seong-jae’s victory in sight”: Tied for the lead after Round 3 of the Macao Open, aiming for his first Asian Tour win

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Lim Seong-jae (28, CJ) is set to challenge for his first victory on the Asian Tour.

On the 17th, at the Macao Golf and Country Club (par 70) in Macao, Lim recorded five birdies, one double bogey, and two bogeys for a total of one-under-par 69 during Round 3 of the Asian Tour SJM Macao Open (total prize money of 1 million dollars).

Starting the round with a three-shot lead, Lim finished with a cumulative score of 14-under-par 194, tying Wang Weixuan (China) for the lead heading into the final round.

Lim, who had held a solo three-shot lead through the first two rounds, played a somewhat disappointing game compared to the previous two days but maintained his position at the top of the leaderboard, continuing his pursuit of victory.

Lim Seong-jae (ranked 61st in the world), the highest-ranked player among those competing in this tournament, said, “I did not play as well today as I did over the previous two days, but it is fortunate that I was able to finish under par. The wind was much stronger today, and unlike before, strong gusts blew continuously, significantly changing the playing conditions. The pin positions were also difficult, and the direction of the wind kept changing, making for a challenging day.”

Wang Weixuan, who finished as runner-up at last year’s SJM Macao Open, recorded three-under-par 67 on this day, continuing his upward momentum. The 27-year-old Wang Weixuan, who narrowly missed out on victory in a playoff against Dominic Fuss last year, is set to compete for the title for the second consecutive year.

Wang Weixuan said, “The wind felt even stronger today, but it was fortunate that I managed to save par on several holes. I feel confident at this tournament, and it is a course I personally enjoy. In tomorrow’s final round, I plan to play as relaxed as possible with a comfortable mindset. When competing against world-class players, maintaining composure is of utmost importance.”

Justin Quiwan of the Philippines and China’s rookie Andi Xu tied for third place. Quiwan recorded five-under-par, while Andi Xu posted three-under-par, chasing the co-leaders by a four-shot margin.

Andi Xu, 24, who became the first Chinese player to win on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), said, “I think I focused well on the game today and played well. It is a meaningful experience just to be able to compete alongside outstanding players like Kevin Na. Rather than feeling pressure about the standings, I tried to focus on the game. This course has fast greens, so it is important to approach it cautiously rather than playing overly aggressively. Today, I controlled my putter distance well and focused on making good putts in every moment, giving it my best effort.”

The chase for the lead is also intense. Henrik Stenson, Paul Casey, Puwit Tangcharoensak, and Travis Smith all recorded a cumulative score of nine-under-par, tying for fifth place. They are just one shot behind the group tied for third, making a fierce battle for position expected in the final round as well.

This tournament, in which SJM Resorts is participating as the title sponsor for the fourth consecutive year, is one of the key events on Macao’s annual international sports calendar and one of the tournaments that An Tu-eo-reul (CEO) Asia. The “SJM Macao Open 2026,” which has provided a special experience for both players and fans in the past, will be held from October 15 to 18 at the beautiful Macao Golf and Country Club located along the South China Sea. World-class star players and top Asian players are scheduled to compete for the championship title.

The Macao Open, with a history of 23 years, has grown into a major event on the Asian Tour, attracting major champions such as Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, Fred Couples, Padraig Harrington, and Vijay Singh. Zhang Lianwei, regarded as a pioneer of Chinese golf, has won this tournament twice and remains the only player in its history to successfully defend his title.

The “2026 SJM Macao Open” will also be open to all spectators for free this year. Fans can apply for free tickets, with a maximum of four tickets per person. For detailed information and ticket applications, please visit the tournament’s official website.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original