Hua Hin: Thongchai Jaidee is in contention for his seventh European Tour title as he is one shot off the pace before today’s final round of the Thailand Classic.
Thongchai Jaidee had a bogey-free round of 67.
The 45-year-old Thai yesterday shot a five-under-par 67 with five birdies in a bogey-free round on the third day of the US$2 million event at the Black Mountain Golf Club.
The world No.39 was joint second along with Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain (69) on 202, one stroke behind Australia’s Scott Hend who suffered a final-hole bogey to drop to 66 for 201.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat, another Thai, posted a 70 to stay fourth on 204, one shot in front of Australia’s Andrew Dodt (67), Richard Green (67), Wade Ormsby (68) and Sweden’s Alex Noren (68) in Thailand’s richest golf tournament which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour.
Thongchai, who was two shots off the lead after two rounds, said his shots were good this week and that gave him a lot chances although the pin placements were tough.
“I am happy with my shots although my putting is not so great,’’ said Thongchai, who birdied the final hole.
Thongchai, who claimed his sixth European Tour title in Sweden last year, said the course suited big hitters like Hend but Jimenez could not be overlooked because he was more experienced and could hit exceptional shots.
“I am not an attacking-minded player but I will try to shoot as best as I can,” he said.
“To fight the big hitters, I need to place the ball accurately as the pin placements will be much more difficult in the final round.”
Hend, who fired an eagle, five birdies and one bogey, said that he played solidly and putted well.
“I made only one mistake the whole day,’’ he said.
The 42-year-old, who is looking for his second European Tour win after last year’s Hong Kong Open and also his second win in Thailand after Chiang Mai in 2013.
Jimenez, 51, said he was satisfied with his round although he made only three birdies.
“I only had three birdies but it was a bogey-free round,” said the 21-time European Tour winner.
“I am hitting well and hitting it well. I missed a few putts. It could have been five or six under today but that is golf.”
The Australian, who made an eagle on the 609-yard 13th hole, had no illusions his long drives could be what seals victory — if he can repeat the kind of showing he made on the 13th.
“It was a nice long drive on 13,” he said.
“It hit a wet patch from the rain and picked up a bit of speed down the hill. I hit a nice little five iron in there and got a good bounce on the fringe of the green.”
Kiradech said that he hit the ball very well but missed a few putts.
The 25-year-old is now well-positioned to win his second European Tour title.