Chan, Kim step up on Asian Tour Phuket

BANGKOK: Chinese Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang and America’s Sihwan Kim share the clubhouse lead after sneaking two strokes ahead of the field on day three of the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship on Saturday.

The pair are 14 under par overall after both carding 68 and hitting five birdies on a sunny day’s play.

Kim, who has been playing mostly in Europe this year and is looking for his first victory on the Asian Tour, said the warm conditions had required a bit of an adjustment.

“It feels kind of weird playing in this weather, being so humid and hot,” he said. “Being in the fairway is key on this golf course.”

The US$1 million tournament marks the first Asian Tour teeoff since a 20-month pandemic disruption. On Saturday the field was cut from 144 to 74.

Chan is hoping for his first win on the Asian Tour in five years.

“Thailand is my lucky country,” he said, referring to his King’s Cup victory in 2016.

The 35-year-old held the outright lead for much of the back nine but made a bogey on the 16th - his first dropped shot in 51 holes.