Danthai two behind leader in Sarawak
British Open-bound Thai fires 68 to stay two shots behind leader Peterson at Sarawak
KUCHING: Danthai Boonma birdied the last two holes in the third round of the Sarawak Championship yesterday to put himself in a good position to end a three-year title drought on the Asian Tour.
The Thai shot a four-under-par 68 on the third day for a total of 201 to stay joint third with Spain’s Javi Colomo (68).
They were two shots behind Paul Peterson of the United States who posted a bogey-free round of 69 to hold a narrow one-shot lead over countryman John Catlin (68).
“I played really well. Everything looks good. My approach shots to the green were accurate and I gave myself a lot of birdie chances. I don’t want to think about winning yet. I want to stay focused on my game,” Danthai said.
It is his final event before he heads to Carnoustie for his major debut at the British Open later this month.
Peterson, who won his first Asian Tour title in January, fired three birdies on his homeward nine to hold on to his lead for the third straight day at the Damai Golf and Country Club.
“It did take me a while to hit my stride,” he said.
“I tried to stay as patient as I could and hit the ball to the middle of the green and not try to be greedy. I knew that after the turn I would have more opportunities to score. I expected the front nine to be a bit slower unless I made a putt. Hopefully I can get the putter a little bit hotter tomorrow.”
Catlin kept up his chase for a second Asian Tour title.
“You always want to have a chance going into the last round. To be in this position is why I work all those hours. It is always exciting chasing down a trophy. He [Paul Peterson] is playing well and I’m playing well, it is going to be a good battle,” he said.
The 27-year-old Catlin has unfinished business this week after finishing second on this course on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) last year. The American sank a clutch birdie putt from 18 feet on the 17th hole to stay within striking distance.
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar also charged into contention with a sparkling 66 to share fifth place with Thailand’s Peradol Panyathanasedh (67) on a 202 total at the US$300,000 Asian Tour event.
“I hit all the fairways and missed only three greens. Overall it was a good day in terms of ball striking. I got off to a good start with two birdies and that gave me a lot of boost and confidence,” Bhullar said.
LEADING THIRD ROUND SCORES
(Par-72)
199 — Paul Peterson (USA) 63-67-69
200 — John Catlin (USA) 67-65-68
201 — Danthai Boonma (THA) 67-66-68, Javi Colomo (ESP) 66-67-68
202 — Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 68-68-66, Peradol Panyathanasedh (THA) 66-69-67 203 — Mark Brown (NZL) 65-71-67, Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 66-66-71, Kevin Lee (KOR) 67-65-71
204 — Natipong Srithong (THA) 68-67-69