Natthaphat one behind at Thailand Open
Natthaphat still on track to become first amateur winner on Asian Tour since 2009
>> CHACHOENGSAO: Indian stalwart SSP Chawrasia made his return to the Thai Country Club after 12 years a memorable one by grabbing a share of the lead with Australia’s Andrew Martin following the penultimate round of the Thailand Open yesterday.
The playing partners, who started the day trailing the leaders by one, posted matching threeunder-par 68s to seize a one-shot advantage over local amateur Natthaphat Harnchokchaiskul with their three-day total of 10-under 203 at the par-71 Thai Country Club.
Despite slipping out of the lead for the first time this week, Natthaphat held his head high after registering a second straight 70. He stays on track to become the first amateur winner on the Asian Tour since 2009 at the US$300,000 event.
The 41-year-old Chawrasia, in only his fifth start on Tour this season, is chasing his seventh title, while Martin, 35, is eyeing a breakthrough win on the region’s premier Tour. The last foreigner to win the Kingdom’s National Open was South Korea’s KT Kim in 2015.
“It’s been 12 long years since I last played here at the Thai Country Club. The course still feels similar to back then except that the trees have grown much taller,” said Chawrasia. “It’s nice to be back here and be in a share of the lead heading into the final round.”
The 35-year-old Martin had his best result at the World Super 6 Perth in February where he finished tied-20th.
“The first tee shot will be key for me tomorrow. I would love to be an Asian Tour winner. Especially in Thailand, I love coming back here. I love playing here at the
Thai Country Club too. It was my first time here last year and I was excited to be back this year,” said Martin.
Natthaphat, 19, is bidding to become the first amateur to win a full-field Asian Tour event since Chinnarat Phadungsil, who won the Double A International Open in 2005, and the first in any event since Danny Lee won the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic.
“I think I coped with my nerves better today. I was just sticking to my routines and I told myself not to think too much. I felt less stressful compared to the last two days,” said Natthaphat.
“I am very pleased with the way I have played so far. I hope it stays the same in the final round and I can put up a good result. It was windy out there again today but the turning point for me came on the 12th where I chipped it in for birdie from about 15 yards.”
Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai and American John Catlin carded identical 69s to settle three shots off the pace in fourth place with young Thai Suradit Yongcharoenchai (70), who secured his maiden Asian Tour win in Taiwan last month.
LEADING THIRD ROUND SCORES
(par-71, a denotes amateur)
203 — SSP Chawrasia (IND) 68-67-68, Andrew Martin (AUS) 67-68-68
204 — a-Natthaphat Harnchokchaiskul (THA) 64-70-70
206 — Phachara Khongwatmai (THA) 65-72-69, John Catlin (USA) 67-70-69, Suradit Yongcharoenchai (THA) 68-68-70
207 — Teemu Putkonen (FIN) 73-70-64, Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA) 72-70-65, Kim Joo-Hyung (KOR) 68-71-68, Wang Wei-lun (TPE) 70-67-70
208 — Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) 70-7068, Nicholas Latimer (USA) 69-71-68, Nicholas
Fung (MAS) 72-67-69, Shiv Kapur (IND) 74-6371, Peradol Panyathanasedh (THA) 69-68-71, Ajeetesh Sandhu (IND) 68-67-73
209 — Miguel Tabuena (PHI) 70-70-69,
Atiruj Winaicharoenchai (THA) 68-72-69, Joo Heung-Chol (KOR) 70-69-70, Ben Leong (MAS) 71-67-71, Lee Soo-Min (KOR) 66-72-71, a-Vanchai Luangnitikul (THA) 69-69-71, Raththee Sirithanakunsak (THA) 69-68-72, Wang Wei-hsuan (TPE) 67-69-73, Poom Pattaropong (THA) 69-65-75