TAIWAN – Pauline del Rosario heated up with a 69 on Thursday, Nov. 14, countering Mikha Fortuna’s cooled-off 73 as the Epson Tour veteran set her sights on capturing a second LPGA of Taiwan (TLPGA) championship at the Party Golfers Ladies Open in Hsinchu County.

But defending champion Ling-Jie Chen made it clear she was not surrendering her title easily, her eagle-spiked 67, capped by closing back-to-back birdies, placed her in a tie with Thailand’s Nook Sukapan at nine-under 135.

“I got some lucky breaks,” said Chen, recalling her pitch-in eagle from 117 yards on No. 5. 

Heading into the final round with last year's four-stroke victory in mind, she exudes confidence.

“I believe I can play my best and achieve a solid score. But I’m not focusing too much on the score or on my position as the defending champion,” added Chen, who promised a balanced strategy, blending aggression with cautious play.

Sukapan, keeping her scorecard bogey-free, posted a solid 68, highlighted by two birdies in her last five holes, giving her and Chen a one-stroke lead over PK Kongkraphan heading into the final round of the NT$5 million championship.

“My irons were strong, but putting was tougher than yesterday,” said Sukapan, who enters the final round with measured expectations. 

For the Philippines, del Rosario emerged as the team’s torchbearer. Starting the day at joint 23rd, she climbed to a share of ninth place with a four-under 140, thanks to three birdies in her first seven holes.

Fortuna, who began the day at eighth spot, slid to joint 32nd after struggling with a bogey-laden 75.