Jazz sinks ace to move into contention in Orlando
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond had a day to remember at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Saturday.
The 25-year-old sank his first ever hole-in-one on the PGA Tour at the parthree 14th hole at Bay Hill en route to a three-under 69 which moved him into tied seventh place on 209, four shots behind leader Lee Westwood who led on 11-under 205.
A day after he carded a superb 65 to improve from an opening 75, Jazz made three other birdies against two bogeys on a day he missed 50 percent of fairways and greens in regulation.
The one shot that counted most was a beautifully flighted six iron which took four little bounces on the green before rolling into the hole, much to the delighted a small crowd gathered around the green.
“Good call, good club,” said a beaming Jazz, whose effort meant that tournament sponsor Mastercard would donate US$200,000 to the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation.
“I was a member here for four months during Covid last year and I didn’t have one hole-in-one. So it’s good to have in a tournament and it’s very special to have Mastercard donating $200,000 to Arnie’s Foundation.
“I was in between a hard 7 and a soft 6 [iron]. And my caddie was just nudging me into the soft 6 and the rest is history. The round was very choppy at the end and choppy at the start as well. The middle was pretty good. Overall, pretty happy as it was tough conditions.”
He spent nearly six months in the US last year after the coronavirus pandemic shut down sports leagues and international borders around the world, and stayed over an extended period with two-time PGA Tour winner Daniel Chopra, who lives in Orlando
and is a Bay Hill member. He is staying with Chopra and family again this week.
“I’m really fortunate because when the Players got cancelled after round one last year, Thailand’s border was closed so I didn’t have anywhere to go. I called my friend Daniel, whom I’m staying with this week as well, asking if I could stay with him for a few days and it turned into a few months. So it’s a great story,” Jazz said.
Meanwhile, Westwood curled in a 28-foot closing birdie putt after an eagle at 16 to seize a one-stroke lead.
The 47-year-old Englishman made eight birdies and an eagle against three bogeys to shoot a 65 and stand on 205 after 54 holes.
“I’m not surprised,” Westwood said. “I know I’m still capable of playing well when it matters. I haven’t lost any of my length and I haven’t lost any of my enthusiasm to go and work in the gym.”
Reigning US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau shot 68 to share second on 206 with Canadian Corey Conners while Americans Jordan Spieth, who aced the par-three second hole, and Keegan Bradley were on 207. PGA TOUR/
LEADING THIRD ROUND SCORES
(par-72, USA unless noted)
205 — Lee Westwood (ENG) 69-71-65
206 — Bryson DeChambeau 67-71-68, Corey Conners (CAN) 66-69-71
207 — Keegan Bradley 69-74-64, Jordan Spieth 70-69-68
208 — Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 70-70-68
209 — Doug Ghim 71-73-65, Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 75-65-69, Richy Werenski 71-69-69, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 66-71-72