TAIPEI, Taiwan – Australia’s Scott Strange shot an 8-under-par 64 to take a one stroke lead heading into the final round of the Taiwan Open.

Strange shot eight birdies to equal the course record at Chung Gung Golf Club near Taipei and record a three-day total of 13-under 203.

Thai newcomer Chapchai Nirat had seven birdies and a bogey for a 66, and remains one stroke back.

Australians Terry Pilkadaris (70) and Adam Blyth (68) enter Sunday’s final round two strokes off the pace.

Overnight leader and local favorite Chang Tse-peng (72), compatriot Lu Wei-lan (67) and Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant (68) are tied three strokes back at the $300,000 tournament.

Strange opened the third round with birdies on the first and third holes. He sank an 18-foot putt on the fifth hole and a 20-footer on six.

“It could have been a bit lower but I’m still very happy. I played quite nicely in Singapore last week but got beat at some of the tough holes,” said Strange, who won this year’s Myanmar Open. “I’ll try to put in a good swing on my first tee shot tomorrow and take it from there.”

Strange equaled the Chung Gung course record set by Taiwan’s Yu Chin-han in 1987.

“Whenever you shoot a 64 you’ve got to be happy. It’s nice to tie the course record and we’ll see how things go tomorrow,” he said.

AP-ES-09-17-05 0751EDT