KHON KAEN — Thai veteran Thaworn Wiratchant will go into the final day of the King's Cup snapping at the heels of leader Anirban Lahiri after shooting a flawless 66 on Saturday.
Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand watches his drive during the third round of the Asian Tour’s $500,000 King’s Cup at the Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club in Khon Kaen on Saturday. (Bangkok Post Photo)
India's Lahiri saw his lead reduced to just one stroke on the third day of the par-72 $500,000 event, teeing up a dramatic showdown with local hero Thaworn ahead of Sunday's last round.
Lahiri, 27, expressed surprise that he managed to end the day still in the lead — a position he has held since the King's Cup kicked off on Thursday at the Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club.
A birdie was offset by a bogey-four on the fifth hole but he later recovered to shoot a four-under-par 68.
"I'm actually surprised to find myself in the lead as I didn't play well today especially on the front nine. It was quite a struggle there. It felt like every step I took, I took two steps back again," he said.
Thaworn — still a fierce competitor at 47 who holds an unprecedented 17 titles on the Asian Tour — put on a masterful round dressed in yellow to honour His Majesty the King, who will celebrate his 87th birthday next Friday.
"I want more wins. Seventeen titles is not enough and I'm going for more," said the Thai star. "It's going to be an exciting day tomorrow as anything can happen and may the best man win."
Australia's Andrew Dodt ended day three sharing third place with Sutijet Kooratanapisan, Panuphol Pittayarat and Jakraphan Premsirigorn.
Leaderboard
200 - Anirban Lahiri (IND) 65-67-68
201 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 68-67-66
203 - Sutijet Kooratanapisan (THA) 70-68-65
203 - Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 68-69-66
203 - Jakraphan Premsirigorn (THA) 69-65-69
203 - Andrew Dodt (AUS) 69-65-69
204 - Prom Meesawat (THA) 68-69-67
204 - Paul Peterson (USA) 69-68-67
204 - Danthai Boonma (THA) 66-70-68