Luang Prabang, Laos, May 5: Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant continued to deliver a stiff lesson to the region’s young players after opening up an eight shot lead in the Luang Prabang Laos Open today.
The 45-year-old, who started the day with a six shot advantage, fired a third round four-under-par 68 at Luang Prabang Golf Club.
Trailing in second place is his 21-year-old countryman Thanyakon Khrongpha, who shot an impressive 65.
The inaugural US$80,000 tournament is the opening event of the season on the ASEAN PGA Tour, which is a circuit aimed at nurturing the region’s up and coming players.
Thaworn has a wealth of such young players chasing him and while they will no doubt be taking notes they will also feel the tournament is virtually out of their reach.
The Thai star boasts a three-round total of 16-under-par 200.
In joint third place 10 shots behind the leader are Thailand’s Poosit Supupramai, who fired a 68, and Jay Bayron from the Philippines, in with a 72.
Thaworn has won twice before on the ASEAN PGA Tour and put himself on track for a third with a solid round. He bogeyed the second but rattled off birdies on the third, sixth, 12th, 15th and 18th.
“There are very good players here so I am surprised to be this far in front,” said Thaworn.
“It is certainly not over yet though as if someone shoots a low round tomorrow I can still be caught. I need to concentrate and shoot a good score.”
Adding to his impressive performance is the fact that this is his ninth successive tournament. He made a long trip from Korea last Monday to get to Laos and heads back to Korea next week to play in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open on OneAsia. He plans to take a break after that.
Highly rated Thanyakon is one of the young Thai players many feel can follow in the footsteps of Thaworn.
He is also a two-time winner on the ASEAN PGA Tour.
For most players it is their first time playing in Laos but Thanyakon actually played here in 2009 when he was part of the Thai team that claimed the gold medal in the 2009 SEA Games.
“It will be great to play with Thaworn in the final round. He is the big star who we all want to be like. I don’t think he will make many mistakes tomorrow,” said Thanyakon.
He made seven birdies including three in the last four holes.
Malaysian Nicholas Pua had cause for an early celebration after making a hole in one on the picturesque par-three 17th that runs by the Mekong River.
He played a majestic four iron and won 20 million Laos Kip (US$2,500).
The ace helped him finish with a 71 to lie at even par for the tournament.
Leading third round scores:
Par 72
200 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 69 63 68
208 - Thanyakon Khrongpha (THA) 71 72 65
210 - Poosit Supupramai (THA) 73 69 68, Jay Bayron (PHI) 71 67 72
211 - Kwanchai Tannin (THA) 73 66 72
212 - Philip Matsson (THA) 71 71 70, Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 70 71 71, Tanatchan Puaktes (THA) 70 69 73
213 - Varut Chomchalam (THA) 73 72 68, Rufino Bayron (PHI) 66 72 75
214 - Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 74 70 70, Sattaya Sapuppramai (THA) 68 71 75
215 - Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 74 71 70, Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA) 73 72 70, Choengchai Panpumpo (THA) 74 70 71
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น