DONGGUAN : Prom Meesawat carded a three-under-par 69 to be tied for 15th at the US$7 million WGC-HSBC Champions yesterday and walked away with a wealth of golfing lessons from English star Luke Donald.
The 28-year-old Thai was three-under through seven holes in his third round at the Mission Hills Golf Club's Olazabal course but birdies dried up over his remaining holes as he ended the day on 10-under-par 206, eight shots behind co-leaders Lee Westwood and Louis Oosthuizen. But the Thai said he got more from his round by learning form playing partners Donald and American Bill Haas.
"It was a very good day for me, very happy with my round, three under and bogey free," Prom said.
"I made two or three birdies out there. I was hitting my irons very well. On this course, for me, you have to hit the irons well and read the greens well. The pins were tricky and difficult to read. When I was three under after seven, I had three more par-five holes to play and had some chances. But I didn't get it.
"If I keep playing under par every round, I'll be happy. One more round tomorrow, I'll be trying my best. I'm playing pretty good."
He said playing with Donald and Haas was beneficial. Donald shot a 69 as well, while Haas hit a 66.
"I learned from playing with Luke and Bill," he said. "They struck the ball really well. They have good rhythm, especially Luke. He made a double bogey on seven but he could still come back. You can't give up even though you make double. He showed that you can still come back."
Thai compatriot Thongchai Jaidee carded a 69 to be tied in 19th, a shot behind Prom while Thaworn Wiratchant, carded a 70 for joint- 34th.
"I played well. Hit a lot of fairways and greens," Thongchai said.