FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Pavit, Pannakorn, Pattaraphol take joint lead at Green Valley

Pavit, Pannakorn, Pattaraphol take joint lead at Green Valley

Rayong - PAVIT TANGKAMOLPRASERT got off to a great start, firing a bogey-free 65 to take the joint lead along with hot-shot Pannakorn Uthaipas and Pattaraphol Khanthacha in the Bt2.2-million Singha Championship at the Rayong Green Valley Country Club on Thursday.

The 27-year-old, one of the three Thais to have won on the Asian Tour in 2016, shot three birdies each on the front and back nine to share the lead with the in-form Pannakorn and the little-known Pattaraphol from Korat at the 6,961-yard, par-71 landscape.

“I did a pretty good job. I putted well and barely missed anything,” said the former Asian Development Tour No 1 player, who made a successful transition to the bigger Asian Tour by winning his maiden title in Macau in October.

“The course is quite tough with a lot of slopes while the fairways are quite wide. The greens are soft which makes it a bit easier to hit close to the flag position. But you need to set up the ball in a proper position.Otherwise, it isn’t easy to shoot scores,” added Pavit, who started the season with six offshore events (European, Australian and Asian Tours). Despite making only two cuts, in Singapore and Perth, the young gun said international experience is benefiting him while playing at home.

“I have been through a lot of tough courses and played against tough fields. So when I come back to play at home, I feel more comfortable and can produce a good round like today,” said Pavit, whose best finish on this course is a top-five position in 2009.

Pavit, Pannakorn, Pattaraphol take joint lead at Green Valley

Pannakorn Uthaipas 

Playing for six straight weeks, Pannakorn had seven birdies against a bogey to surge into contention after posting top-10 finishes over the fortnight at a local PGA Tour in Prachin Buri and an ADT event last week in Malaysia.

“I was putting well all day although my tee shots weren’t good at the start. I have put in some good results since the end of last year. I am trying to enjoy the game rather than focusing on winning. I will take the same approach going into the next three days,” said Pannakorn.

Since winning his only Thai PGA trophy in Nakhon Nayok, 26-year-old Pattaraphol had been out of the limelight until yesterday.

“I’ve been feeling good since the practice round. But I don’t want to think too far ahead at this point as this is a star-studded event. The good players can catch up anytime. I have to concentrate on my game,” he said.

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