Manila - Australian Jason Dawes smashed the course record with a sizzling nine-under-par 62 to lead the Philippine Open by one stroke from Thailand's Boonchu Ruangkit after the third round on Saturday.
The 31-year-old Aussie, winner of the Taiwan Open in 2003, was in fiery mood with an unblemished card of nine birdies at the par-71 Mt Malayarat Golf and Country Club and bettered the previous course mark by two strokes.
Dawes leads the $200 000 Asian Tour event on seven-under-par 206 ahead of the 49-year-old Boonchu, who paid dearly for a late stumble when he ran up a double bogey on the par four 16th hole en route to a 69.
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Another Australian, Adam Le Vesconte, was a further stroke back after a 67 which was highlighted by an eagle two on the 16th.
Former Philippine Open champion Gerald Rosales and amateur star Juvic Pagunsan, last year's runner-up, carried the local hopes as they finished the day on 209 in tied fourth place following rounds of 67 and 69 respectively.
Dawes has missed seven cuts this season but arrived in Manila with his confidence boosted after finishing tied 14th in last week's Macau Open.
After switching to a broomhandle putter which paid off, the Australian hit form on the greens to improve his score by 10 shots after matching 72s in the opening two rounds.
The 89th Philippine Open, Asia's oldest national Championship, is the 13th leg of this season's Asian Tour. - Sapa-AFP
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