Masters invitation hangs in the balance

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SHENZHEN, China --- South Korea's Han Chang-won is in position to punch his ticket to the 2010 Masters Tournament today.

Han shot 1-under 71 on Saturday to build a two-shot lead going into the final round of the Asian Amateur Championship.

The winner of the inaugural event earns an exemption to April's Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, one of the joint creators of this event.

Han seized control Saturday with two early birdies, then hung on at Mission Hills to finish three rounds at 10-under-par 206.

Eric Chun had 66 to give himself a chance, leaving him two shots behind his countryman.

"I will try to play tomorrow in the way that I have been playing in the past two days," Han said. "I know it is going to be very tight. I don't know Eric in person and I have never played with him, but it is great that we get to play together tomorrow.

Australia's Jordan Sherratt, who was tied with Han after 36 holes, had 74 on Saturday and is now three shots off the lead.

New Zealand's Peter Spearman-Burn had 73 and is four shots off the lead.

Three players -- first-round leader Han Ren, of China, Kim Meen-Whee, of Korea, and Filipino Mhark Fernando -- are five shots back. Ren and Kim had 68s and Fernando had 73.

The winner receives an exemption to the Masters Tournament and to the final stage of British Open qualifying.

Going into the final round, 11 of the 30 countries in the field are represented among the top 10 and ties on the leaderboard.

"I didn't really understand how big winning this tournament would be and that the field would be so competitive before I came," Han Chang-won said. "I knew the winner would receive an invitation to play in the Masters, though. There is no doubt that it would be the highlight of my golf career if I win this tournament."

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