Thaworn three shots off pace in Ho Tram
Lin in charge, Garcia and Norris share second place after third round
Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant, bidding for a record 19th Asian Tour victory, carded a three-under-par 68 to lie three shots behind Lin Wen-tang after the third round of the US$1.5 million Ho Tram Open yesterday.
Overnight leader Lin of Taiwan overcame an early wobble to also post a 68 and hold a two-shot lead over Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Shaun Norris of South Africa.
The 41-year-old Lin dropped a bogey and double bogey in his opening four holes at The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip before fighting back with six birdies for a three-day total of 13-under-par 200 total in the inaugural Asian Tour tournament.
World No.12 Garcia endured a topsy-turvy day as well en route to a 68 which kept him in the chase for a first title of the year alongside Norris, who charged into contention with a 65 in Vietnam’s richest sporting event, dubbed Asia’s Grandest Stage.
Thai veteran Thaworn shared fourth place on 203 with a resurgent Indian Himmat Rai, who also carded a 68. American Paul Peterson (68) will start the final round four shots back of the leader.
Thaworn, who will turn 49 later this month, finished strongly with three birdies coming home. Wearing a yellow shirt to mark the king of Thailand’s birthday, the unorthodox swinging veteran was happy to lurk behind the leaders.
“I finished under par, I’m happy. Every hole was good except hole number two where I hit it into the hazard [for double bogey]. This week, I’m hitting every club good, driver, three wood, all good. The wind makes it hard on the putting,” he said.
Six-time winner Lin said he was nervous playing alongside Garcia in the final group before recovering his composure with some fantastic iron play.
“I played with the star players, so I felt a bit scared. My caddy told me to calm down and I recovered nicely,” said the Taiwanese.
Ryder Cup star Garcia, who returned early in the morning to complete his weather-disrupted second round in 68, dropped a double bogey on six after finding bushes with his drive and then dropped a closing bogey with an errant drive. But six birdies on the card ensured he remained within striking reach.