Antonio Murdaca expands lead to eight at Asia-Pacific Amateur

MELBOURNE, Australia (Oct. 25, 2014) — After grabbing ahold of the 36-hole lead, Antonio Murdaca fired a third-round best 67 on Saturday to expand his one-shot to a commanding eight strokes with 18 holes remaining at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. After a first-round 69, Murdaca, of Adelaide, Austrailia, shot 68 on Friday to overtake fellow countryman Todd Sinnott by one. Then, a 67 to close out the first 54 holes in which only three players posted a number in the 60's at the former President's Cup host course. Sitting in second place at 212 is Pan Cheng-tsung of Taiwan, who plays collegiately for the University of Washington. Two other players are tied for second with Cheng-tsung, including Jin Cheng of China and first-round leader Sinnott. Since leading with 67 after Thursday, Sinnott has posted 71-74 to fall eight shots back. World No. 1-ranked Geoffrey Drakeford shot one of those three sub-70 rounds — a 69 — on Saturday to reach the top-five. Drakeford has improved by two shots each round but will enter Sunday's final round nine strokes behind Murdaca.