Sarit Suwannarut takes a three-stroke lead into today’s final round of the 80th Singha Thailand Amateur Open.
Sarit Suwannarut.
Overnight leader Sarit yesterday shot a three-under-par 69 in the third round for 204 at Bangkok’s Panya Indra Golf Club.
The 16-year-old Thai said he was happy with every aspect of his game and confident that he would claim the title.
If he wins, he will follow in the footsteps of Thailand’s leading golfers who won the prestigious title including Thongchai Jaidee (1998), Prayad Marksaeng (1990) and Prom Meesawat (2000 and 2002).
Singapore’s Abdul Hadi was second on 207 following a 66 while Yet Htet Aung of Myanmar (69) was third on 210.
Gregory Foo of Singapore (69) stayed fourth on 212 and Thailand’s Nanfa Somnuek (70) a stroke down further.
In the women’s competition, Thailand’s Kanyalak Preedasuttijit fired a 67 to lead on 207.
Three strokes behind in second place was compatriot Parinda Phokan (66). Virupat O-lankitkunchai (69) and Pimnipa Panthong (71) were tied for third on 213.
The 15-year-old Kanyalak from Chon Buri said that with a three-shot advantage, she was confident that she would win the title.
Kanyalak has been in good form winning a Thai LPGA Tour event recently.
The Thailand Amateur Open is the oldest golf tournament in the country and the winner in the men’s event receives the King Rama VII trophy.
Zanotti hit by golf ball
Play was suspended during the first round of the European Tour’s KLM Open in the Netherlands yesterday when Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti was hit on the head by a golf ball.
He was on the 16th fairway at the Kennemer Golf Club in Zandvoort when he was injured by a ball hit from the 14th tee.
Zanotti, who won the BMW International Open earlier this season, received treatment on the course and was then taken to hospital.
Zanotti had started his round from the 10th tee and was level par after six holes when he was struck by the ball. Bangkok Post/REUTERS