The 24-year-old Thai, who is enjoying a stellar season with two wins and six top-10s, blazed the course with two eagles and seven birdies against a bogey to lead by one shot over countryman Gunn Charoenkul on a 16-under-par total at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.

Jazz, 57th on the World Ranking, is chasing a fifth career Asian Tour title and a third one this season at the popular US$750,000 event, which forms the third leg of the 2019/20 Panasonic Swing.

“I am pretty pleased. I was surprised to go out there and shoot this low round today,” Janewattananond said. “I was struggling with my putting in the first two rounds but seems like it got better today.

“I put in a new putter today. Maybe I'll stick with it tomorrow. I was surprised to see some balls go in actually. I didn't expect anything like this today. I just thought I would go out and post a solid round, but I am really happy with the result.”

LEADERBOARD

With a total of 20 OWGR points on offer in what is the flagship event of the Asian Tour this week, Jazz will need to win the 2019 BNI Indonesian Masters to break into the world’s top-50 at the end of the season and secure his berth at The Masters next April.

Gunn, seeking his Asian Tour breakthrough, returned with three birdies in his closing four holes to grab second place while veteran Keith Horne of South Africa remained in contention for his maiden win on the region’s premier Tour after battling to a 71 to take third place on 203.

PGA Tour winner Alex Cejka of Germany, who is playing on a sponsor’s invitation this week, posted a 70 to settle four shots off the pace in fourth while overnight leader Josh Younger of Australia slipped to tied-fifth on 205 following a disappointing 74.

Danny Masrin emerged as the highest-placed Indonesian in tied-10th place on 207 after signing for a commendable 68 in the event, which is celebrating its ninth straight edition on the Asian Tour this week.

The winner of the 2019 BNI Indonesian Masters will also receive a coveted spot in the World Golf Championships – FedEx St. Jude Invitational in 2020.