Pornanong in contention again

Pornanong Phatlum will try to learn from last week’s lesson in Kuala Lumpur as she enters today’s final round of the US$2 million LPGA KEB–Hana Bank Championship one stroke behind co-leaders Baek Kyu-jung and Bae Hee-kyung of South Korea in Incheon.

Just seven days ago, the Thai looked like becoming the first Thai to win an LPGA event when she led by three strokes entering the back nine during the final round at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. All of a sudden a double bogey on the 15th cost her dearly as China’s Feng Shanshan turned the tables on her by beating her by three strokes and walking away a surprise winner.

The 24-year-old, who yesterday fired a 69 for a three-day four-under-par 212 at the Sky72 Golf Club Ocean Course, had undergone the agony of losing and the experience has taught her what to do under such circumstances.

“Last week I learned a lot. Now I know what to do. I will try not to get myself under pressure and stay focused. But I think there is less pressure going into the final round, a stroke off the lead. The pressure should be among the last group,” said Pornanong, who was tied third with nine other players, including former world No 1 Inbee Park, Germany’s Sandra Gal, Norway’s Suzann Pettersen and Brittany Lincicome of the US.

The world No 26, Pornanong, had a roller-coaster round, which featured seven birdies against two bogeys and a double bogey on the third.

“I started off poorly. I teed off into a pond and made a double bogey on the third hole. But after the front nine, things got better on the back nine as I made long putts and regained my confidence. I had five birdies against one bogey.

“The course is quite tough. I just have to wait for birdie opportunities to shoot a low score. If you miscalculate you can end up with three putts. I have to thank my brother, who tried to cool me down. I know how to play here, as it is my third time here. Tomorrow, I have to play safe and go for the right opportunities,” said Pornanong, who has elder brother Pornpong on the bag.  

Pornanong has just missed a title twice, settling for second in Alabama last year and in Malaysia last week.

Both Baek and Bae shot third round 68s to share the lead with five-under-par 211. Baek, who is making her first LPGA Tour start of her career, had six birdies and two bogeys in her round yesterday. She attributed her success to her putter after needing just 25 putts yesterday.

“I think my putting was strong today and my shots were relatively weaker compared to my putting. But I think I was able to manage my game because I did a lot of par saves. And so ultimately, I was able to get a low score.”

Fellow KLPGA member Bae played the first 10 holes of the third round even-par and didn’t pick up her first birdie until the par 4 11th hole.

“I think my iron shots today were strong but my putting wasn’t especially strong. On the front nine, I would make it on the green pretty close but then my putts wouldn’t drop,” said Bae. “So then after making the first birdie on the back nine, I really picked up momentum. My putting was steady and shots became stronger and I also took advantage of the fact that the tee boxes were closer on the back nine.”