Prom and Natipong five off lead in China
Blyth in second place, Prom and Natipong five shots behind heading into final round in Henan
>> HENAN: John Catlin of the United States is on course to win his maiden Asian Tour title after carding a three-under-par 69 to maintain oneshot lead at the US$300,000 AsiaPacific Classic.
The two-time Asian Development Tour (ADT) winner admitted that he was not playing up to his standards, but he still managed to card six birdies against three bogeys to lead with a 13-under 203 at the St Andrews Golf Club in Henan, China.
“I’m definitely excited. I’ve been working very hard over the last two years and I’ve been dreaming of having this chance,” said Catlin.
“Winning on the ADT [Asian Development Tour] twice is going to give a lot of confidence going into tomorrow knowing I’ve been there and done that. It’s a very difficult golf course as you have to make sure you’re in the right spot. I’ve done that the last three days and I hope to do that again tomorrow.”
Adam Blyth of Australia is just a shot behind the leader after signing a 68. Similar to his second round, he made a string of birdies towards the end of the front nine and dropped only a single shot at the 10th hole.
Japan’s Shohei Hasegawa finished the day in lone third place on 10-under 206. Like Blyth, he had a near flawless round, carding four birdies against a lone bogey on hole 14.
Local favourite Xiao Bowen continues to play well on home soil as he carded a 69 to keep pace with the leaders. He scored five birdies against two bogeys and with three good rounds in, he felt that the form that led to his victory in Xiamen is returning to him. He is in tied-fourth with Englishman Callum Tarren and Australian Jack Wilson.
Thai duo Prom Meesawat (71) and Natipong Srithong (74) were five shots off the lead at tied seventh along with five other golfers.
Udorn Duangdecha (70) was a stroke further back at tied-14th while Danthai Boonma (69) was at joint 18th.
The Asia-Pacific Classic is cosanctioned by the Asian Tour and the China Golf Association (CGA). This is the Asian Tour’s second stop in China this season.