Two tie at the top as Michele battles back from clubs woe
Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai and Korea’s Bio Kim are tied at the top of the leaderboard on 14-under-par after three rounds of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup.
The duo both began the day at Siam Country Club on 10-under-par and one shot off the lead but four-under-par rounds of 68 put the pair in pole position of the event co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour after 54 holes.
Khongwatmai carded a bogey-free round rolling in birdies on two, nine, 10 and 14 to set the clubhouse lead before being joined by Kim.
Three players sit one shot further back including overnight co-leader Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat, who produced a bogey-free round of 70.
The 15-year-old amateur was joined by American Paul Peterson, who shot a 68, and Thailand’s Jaravee Boonchant, who fired a bogey-free round of 66.
And the 22-year-old Duke University graduate, who won the 2021 THAILPGA Tour finale, is enjoying her time this week.
Scotland’s Michele Thomson is just outside the top 10 after three rounds having signed for a five-under round of 67 on day three – despite beginning her week with no clubs.
“I arrived with no clubs to start with, so I had no clubs on Monday and Tuesday and then they arrived on Wednesday, and I opened the bag to a broken driver,” she said.
“The club fitters who were on the range this week worked a miracle and managed to get the same shaft for me and it’s back in the bag with the same shaft and we’re ready to go.
“A lot of things went well. I drove the ball a lot better today which obviously gives you a lot of chances. I took advantage of the par-fives, and I was two-putting for birdie which made it a little bit easier.
“On the back nine, I carried on the good form and had a few chances I left out there. I dropped one on 17 which is a tough driving hole and doesn’t quite suit my eye off the tee. I took our medicine there knowing we had 18 there and could pick it back up.
“I’m just going to try and do more of the same as I did today. I will see how it goes and keep relaxed and this golf course seems to suit me pretty well.”