Thaworn Wiratchant in driver's seat, leads by 8 shots
Thaworn Wiratchant is the odds-on favourite to win the Asean PGA Tour opener, Luang Prabang Laos Open, after a third round 68 that gave him an eight stroke lead over compatriot Thanyakorn Khrongpha yesterday.
The two-time winner of the regional tour, who set the new course record of the Luang Prabang Golf Club with a 63 on Friday, had his first bogey of the week on the second hole but bounced back with five birdies, totalling his score to 16-under-par 200.
“I didn’t start well and couldn’t putt like yesterday [Friday]. The pin position was a bit tougher today. But that what golf is all about. You can be up one day and down the next day. It’s something you cannot control,’’ said the 46 year-old-former Asian Tour No 1.
“But I still got some luck on the 18th hole where I didn’t expect to get a birdie. The line was quite curvy but somehow my putt found a way home. It was a lucky shot,’’ added Thaworn, who is gunning for his third title on the Tour after the 2009 Heritage Melaka Classic and the 2010 Singha Esan event.
“With eight shot lead, the chance to win is 90 per cent but I cannot be over confident because there are still 18 more holes to play. Anything can happen. I just have to go out there and shoot a good score.”
Former SEA Games national player Thanakorn Khrongpha shot the lowest round of the day, a 65, to follow in second place at eight-under-par 208.
“The eight stroke advantage is quite big. It will be great to play with Thaworn in the final round. He is a big star. We all aspire to play like him one day. I don’t think he will make many mistakes tomorrow,” said Thanyakon.
The third place was shared by Poosit Supupramai and Filipino Jay Bayron after each hit a 210.
Malaysian Nicholas Pua had some cause for celebration, making a hole in one on the picturesque par-three 17th that runs by the Mekong River. He played a 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.
