In-form Phiphatphong Naewsuk retained his two-shot lead after three rounds at the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday.
Phiphatphong Naewsuk.
Phiphatphong fired a three-under-par 68 in the third round to lead on 201 at the three-million-baht tournament, co-sanctioned by the All Thailand Golf Tour and Asian Development Tour.
Chapchai Nirat, who made an eagle, three birdies and two bogeys for a 68, stayed second on 203.
Sharing third place on 204 were Namchok Tantipokhakul (66), Bae Seuk-Hyun of South Korea (68) and Chawalit Plaphol (69).
Phiphatphong said that his result should have been better if he had not struggled with putting.
“My iron play was great but it should have been better if my putter had worked well,” he said.
“I could not hole any long putts although I practised a lot before the third round.”
Seeking his first win on the Thai tour after finishing second at the Singha Chiang Mai Open last year, Phiphatphong admitted that he would be nervous in the final round because a lot of good players were chasing him.
“I have been the leader but failed to win on several occasions,’’ he said.
Chapchai said that the key for success here was on the greens.
Two-time Asian Tour No.1 Thaworn Wiratchant was four shots behind the leader on 205 following a 70.
Veteran Prayad Marksaeng (68) was joint seventh on 207 with Panuphol Pitayarat (67) and Pawin Ingkhapradit (68).
The best performance of the day was that of Sattaya Supupramai who made a 64 for 209.
Sattaya, who made nine birdies and two bogeys, shared 12th place with Kiradech Aphibarnrat (69), Thanyakorn Khrongpha (73), Apisit Nimnual (68) and Pavit Tangkamolprasert (69).