Rayong: Promising teen Chanettee Wannasaen remained on course for her third straight Thailand Mixed title after she established a convincing nine-shot lead during the third round actions at Rayong Green Valley Country Club yesterday.
While the rest of the field were struggling at the tricky layout, the 18-year-old made it look so easy to shoot scores as she fired eight birdies with one bogey on the 15th hole for a third round 64 and 15-under 198 total.
She left a daunting task for Parinda Phokan and Sangchai Kaewchaoren, each with 207, to catch up with her in today's final round.
"I hit the approach shots close to the pins and made several easy birdies at the front nine. But the back nine is still a challenge for me," said Chanettee, who crafted six birdies before the turn.
With a huge lead going into the final round, the red-hot teenager stands a great chance at winning three successive Thailand Mixed series which will make her the first player to win three times on the Tour.
Currently, Chanettee and Prom Meesawat are the only multiple Thailand Mixed winners, each with two wins.
"I will try to stay in the present, not thinking too much about the outcome. If I'm not focused with my game plan, I may commit errors I shouldn't have like I did in the second round. I will stick to the same routine and play carefully. I expect the pin positions will be tougher in the final round," Chanette said.
Parinda, who started the day one stroke behind Chanettee, proved less accurate with her putting game, finishing with a 72 and six-under 207 total.
"I was out of my rhythm and struggled to hit the greens in regulation. I need to fix my approach shots and hope to raise my game in the final round," said the 2017 Thai LPGA Tour No.1.
Sangchai, the 2021 Thailand PGA Tour Order of Merit winner, was one of a few players who enjoyed a bogey-free round. He carded four birdies for a 67.
Young gun Denwit David Boriboonsub was a stroke behind on five-under 208.
With four birdies against a bogey for a 68, former champion Arpichaya Yubol finished the third round on 209. She must finish ahead of Trichat Cheenglab (214) today to earn one of the two slots into the Women's Scottish Open.
The other slot has already been secured by Chanettee, who is the current Order of Merit leader.