Rattanon hopes for crowning GLORY

The 21-year-old, who got his nickname from the famous Thai TV serial Thepabut Juthatep in 2014, carded a bogey-free 65 to top the leaderboard with 17-under-par 196 and hopes to seal his maiden victory on the Asian Tour.
“I feel happy to be bogey-free for the first time this week. I missed some shots but I still managed to save pars. I was putting well all day,” said Rattanon, who will be only the fourth Thai to take the prestigious King Bhumibol trophy if he wins the Open today.

 The rising star, however, needs to maintain his equanimity as he will be playing in the final group with experienced Panuphol and seven-time Asian Tour winner Gaganjeet Bhullar of India. The soft-spoken golfer had “butterflies in his stomach” several times in the past, including at the Maekyung Open in Seoul earlier this month.
“I will try to have fun in the final round regardless of what happens. Of course, I want to win like everybody. But I won’t let myself under pressure as I have already learned my lessons,” said Rattanon, whose best result on the Asian Tour were fourth places in Bangladesh and Taiwan.

Panuphol Pittayarat

Panuphol, who is known as Coconut in golfing circles, had an error-free day, carding a 64 for a 16-under-par 197. The 24-year-old has been a strong contender in several tournaments this year and won the Singha Masters in Chiang Rai, his first All Thailand Tour title, last month.
Like Rattanon, Panuphol has yet to taste victory on the Asian Tour although he came close to winning the Indonesian Open last year and the Selangor Masters in 2011, settling for second on both occasions.
“My game plan is to hit the fairways and the greens and hope to make a lot of good putts. I’m quite confident with my game this week and that should lead to good results. However, we cannot write off the chances of other guys as players at this level can turn things around at any time. I’d better not worry about them and better focus on my game,” said Panuphol.

Gaganjeet Bhullar 

Two shots off the lead was Gaganjeet, who despite carding a 67, his worst score in three days after 65 and 66 in the two rounds, remained one of the favourites to dash the hopes of Thais. The 29-year-old from Kapurthala, Punjab, can be a dangerous customer on the course.
“I will be cautious. I have been in this position many times. My past experiences will definitely help me tomorrow. At the end of the day, if you can putt well, you should be able to take the trophy home,” said Gaganjeet, looking for his second win in Thailand after the 2010 Asian Tour Invitational.

Kiradech Abhibarnrat

Kiradech Abhibarnrat shot a 65 to surge into contention with a 198. 
“This tournament has a long history and it will be a great honour to win this trophy which was won by Thai legends [Suthep Meesawat, Boonchu Ruangkit and Prayad Marksaeng]. I will try my best. I believe in destiny. If it is meant for me, it will come to me,” Kiradech said.

Third-round scores:
196 - Rattanon Wannasrichan (Tha) 62-69-65.
197 - Panuphol Pittayarat (Tha) 64-69-64.
198 - Gaganjeet Bhullar (India) 65-66-67.
199 - Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Tha) 66-68-65.
200 - Ben Leong (Mas) 70-64-66, Terry Pilkadaris (Aus) 67-67-66, Pawin Ingkhapradit (Tha) 70-62-68.
201 - Scott Barr (Aus) 67-67-67.
202 - Suradit Yongcharoenchai (Tha) 71-67-64, Shiv Kapur (Ind) 70-67-65, Jarin Todd (Usa) 72-65-65, Brett Munson (Usa) 72-68-62, Danthai Boonma (Tha) 66-69-67, Jazz Janewattananond (Tha) 67-67-68.
203 - Poom Saksansin (Tha) 68-68-67, Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol (Tha) 68-68-67, Simon Griffiths (Eng) 69-66-68, Mitchell Slorach (Sin) 69-66-68.
204 - Gavin Green (Mas) 71-66-67, Thaworn Wiratchant (Tha) 69-68-67, Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 71-63-70.
205 - Scott Hend (Aus) 69-67-69, Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (Tha) 68-67-70, Namchok Tantipokhakul (Tha) 73-68-64, Thammanoon Sriroj (Tha) 73-68-64.