Diminutive Thanyakorn stands tallest
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Thai has two-shot lead over India's Randhawa, Khan
Diminutive Thanyakorn Krongpha produced a solid 67 to grab a two-stroke lead over Indian duo Jyoti Randhawa and Rashid Khan in the third round of the US$750,000 (Bt26.6 million) Chiang Mai Golf Classic at the Alpine Golf Resort yesterday.
The Khon Kaen-born golfer was neck-and-neck with the 2002 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Randhawa at 14-under coming into the final hole before the veteran drove into the bush leading to a bogey, while Thanyakorn picked up his seventh birdie of the day to steal the thunder.
The 24-year-old Thanyakorn had back-to-back bogeys on holes 11 and 12 before drilling a hat-trick of birdies over the next three holes to leave him at 15-under 201.
“I was angry with myself for those mistakes but I knew I could come back,” the local hope, who stands 164cm, said. “Things went according to my plan after I hit the fairways. My iron shots were good but my putts were even better.”
Thanyakorn has not won an international event since taking out the Asian Development Tour title in Indonesia four years ago. Though he has never been in the last group on the final day of a tournament previously, the Thai said his experience on the Japan Tour would benefit him today.
“I have learned a lot from the Japan Tour and my putting technique has improved dramatically,” he said. ”I will keep doing what I have been doing from the first round, which is to try and hit the fairways.
“I know I have never been in this situation before but what mistakes I made today I’m not going to repeat tomorrow.”
Khan, who won the SAIL-SBI Open this year, fired seven birdies against a lone bogey for a 66 to be in joint second place at 13-under 203.
Overnight leader Randhawa, who entered the third round with a one-shot advantage, had a roller-coaster day with five birdies against two bogeys.
But it was his finishing-hole error that hurt him the most.
“My round was a little patchy. I didn’t strike the ball all that great like yesterday,” he said.
“If I had a few more putts, then it would have been a better round. But I’ll still accept a 70 on my off-day.
“The young boys these days are good and experienced enough to play under pressure. It’s a young man’s game now. It used to be an old man’s game.”
Randhawa has not won an Asian Tour event since the 2009 Thailand Open in Phuket.
“But experience does matter,” the former Asian No.1 said. “There are shots where they [younger players] would go for it but I know where to take chances and where not to.
“Hopefully my experience will count there but it is tough to chase young people because they have the energy to go for it.”
Australia’s Kalem Richardson produced the day’s lowest round, a 64, to put him in a tie for fourth place at 12-under 204 along with compatriot Scott Barr.
Last year’s Asian Tour No 1 Kiradech Aphibarnrat shot an error-free 66 to be on 11-under 205 and in joint sixth place with Taiwan’s Hung Chien-yao, who also shot a 66.
“I played good golf all day,” Khiradech said. “I’ve been striking the ball very well. I missed a few birdie putts but it is okay.
“I didn’t roll the ball well on the greens but I remained focused on chasing the leader. There are holes which I can score here, so my goal was to hit the ball close.
“I have to roll the ball better than today. I hope to get some early birdies to put some pressure on the leader. I cannot make any mistakes if I want to win.”
