TAO YUAN (Taiwan), Nov 23: Maarten Lafeber carded a lacklustre one-under-par 71 but still finished the third round of the Asian Open one stroke clear of the field Saturday.

The Dutchman ended the round at 13 under par ahead of Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and South African Trevor Immelman, who are joint second in the co-sanctioned Asian and European Tour event.

Lafeber, chasing his first European Tour victory, recorded three birdies and two bogeys as he kept himself in a winning position for the third time in recent weeks.

Last month, the 28-year-old shared the lead heading into the final round of the Lancome Trophy in Paris but eventually stumbled with a last round 74 to finish tied 13th.

The former Dutch, Spanish and Swiss amateur champion, was again in contention a week later in the Madrid Open, sharing the halfway lead before ending 13th again.

Harrington hit a four-under-par 68 but squandered the opportunity to end the round tied with Lafeber after missing a six-foot birdie putt at the last.

The world number eight birdied six holes and bogeyed two, including the par-four fourth where he found a water hazard off the tee with his drive.

Immelman, 22, who recorded three second-place finishes on the last European Tour, birdied four of his opening seven holes in his round of 68.

American Andrew Pitts was in fourth place at 10 under par after a 69 while Welshman Ian Woosnam carded a 68 to finish five strokes behind Lafeber.

Woosnam shared fifth place with Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee (70), who was runner-up to Colin Montgomerie in last week’s Asian Tour TCL Classic.

LEADING THIRD ROUND SCORES: