Schwartzel snaps at Westwood's heels

Lee Westwood, who appeared to be cruising his way to a dominant victory at the US$1-million Thailand Golf Championship, suddenly has South African Charl Schwartzel snapping at his heels after a lacklustre day that cut his lead to just four strokes.

The world No 3 teed off on a breezy Saturday at the Amata Spring and Country Club with a huge 11-stroke lead over Schwartzel and the American young gun Michael Thompson but four bogeys against just three birdies sent him back to earth. He finished with a 73 and a three-round total of 19 under-par-197.

The form, which propelled the Englishman to the Asian Tour midway record of 20-under, deserted him completely. His accurate approach shots and exceptional putts were things of the past as Schwartzel chased the leader right from start with four successive birdies from holes No 2 to 5. The margin narrowed to just three shots when Westwood missed a two-foot par putt on the 16th before he struggled to get out off the bunker on the island 17th hole where he made his fourth bogey. But the South African returned the favour right back with a bogey on the finishing hole, sending his score to 66 and a total of 15-under-par 201.

 “I got off to a poor start. I pulled a shot at the second to make bogey. Missed a fairway on six and had a bad lie and made bogey there,” said Westwood whose bogey on the second was his first mistake in 38 holes. “I hit a lot of good shots in between. Didn’t make the putts when I needed to. Got in between yardages quite a few times. It was one of those days. A few bad breaks, if you had offered a four-shot lead on Thursday morning I would have taken it,” said the 38-year-old, still positive about his chance to claim the season’s fourth title.

“Charl had the momentum and I was fighting against it. Other than Charl, there are other people in it. After a 60 and 64, you’re probably going to be disappointed with the third round, chances are, but a four-shot lead into the last round is a good position to be in,” added Westwood whose two off the three trophies came from Asia this year.

Schwartzel will have to harbour the memory of the Masters to rally from behind and prevail today. The South African trailed Rory McIIroy by four strokes heading towards the final round but turned the tide for his Major breakthrough.

 “I didn’t expect to be four shots back at the start of today’s round. I knew I had to shoot a low score. Lee [Westwood] didn’t play particularly well. I’ve seen him play much better golf. I feel I still need to shoot a 64 or 65 on the last day to get a chance. At least there’s a light at the end of the tunnel now. Four shots is not much out there,” said the Vereeniging resident in search of his third title of the year after winning at home in the Jo’burg Open and the Masters.

 “I’ve won about two or three tournaments where I was four shots behind. I’ve done it before. I don’t know what the secret is. I just play my own game when I’m out there. You sort of know that you have to play well and there are no doubts in your mind,” said the 27-year-old winner of eight pro titles.

Three strokes behind was American Michael Thompson who sank four birdies against a bogey on the fifth hole for a third round of 69 and a total 204.

Dutchman Guido Van Der Valk, with a 66, fell two strokes behind with an aggregate 206 to take the fourth position, followed by Briton Simon Dyson, the former Asian Tour No 1, who carried a three day of 207 and Indian Jyoti Randhawa, whose round was highlighted with three straight birdies from hole 10-12, at sixth with 208.

Thailand’s Prom Meesawat and Chawalit Plaphol were at joint seventh, the highest among locals, along  with Japanese Daisuke Maruyama and Swedish Rikard Karlberg, each with a total 209.