Khon Kaen, Thailand, July 1: Halfway leader Udorn Duangdecha overcame some early jitters and went on a birdie blitz on the back nine to maintain his stranglehold on the Singha E-San Open after the third round on Friday.
The 40-year-old Thai shot five birdies on the inward half for a 68 and an overall total of 17 under 199 in the third leg of the ASEAN PGA Tour at Singha Park Golf Club.
He holds a three-shot lead over Thai teenager Poosit Supupramai, who eagled the 18th for the second successive day, and countryman Tanutchan Puaktes. They both shot 67s.
Defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant and the in-form Chawalit Plaphol are seven strokes off the pace in joint fourth after also carding 67s and both conceded defeat to the rampant Udorn.
The 40-year-old Udorn had a nightmarish start with a bogey at the opening hole and was one over after 10 as the birdies dried up and the pack closed in.
But he renewed his love affair with Singha Park Golf Club, where he won the King’s Cup on the Asian Tour last November, with a sensational inward stretch.
“I did not putt well on the front nine, my direction was off, but I was not worried as the back nine is easier here,” said Udorn, who is bidding for his second win on the ASEAN PGA Tour after his victory in the 2010 Singha Pattaya Open.
An amazing chip-in birdie from below the 16th green highlighted a run of three straight birdies from the 15th.
“That shot could be key to me winning the tournament, I was down a steep bank and in a bit of trouble,” he said. “I am playing well on a course I love and my confidence is 120 per cent. I know I can win.”
Seventeen-year-old Poosit is playing the best golf of his young life and his huge potential was encapsulated in his second straight eagle at the 18th where he hit a three wood a mighty 280 yards into a head wind to six feet from the flag.
“I was a little bit nervous at the start and bogeyed the first two holes but then I started playing as well as I have ever done,” he said. “I will not hold back tomorrow, it is a big chance for me.”
Thaworn opened in sensational style with three straight birdies and added four more in a thrilling round but bogeys at the par-three eighth and 17th cost him dear.
“I am happy with the defence of my title but I am too far back to win,” said Thaworn, one of Asia’s best players with 12 titles on the Asian circuit to his name. – www.aseanpgatour.com
Leading third round scores (Thai unless stated)
199 – Udorn Duangdecha 66-65-68
202 – Poosit Supupramai 68-67-67, Tanutchan Puaktes 70-65-67
206 – Chawalit Plaphol 70-69-67, Thaworn Wiratchant 66-73-67
207 – Namchok Tantipokhakul 71-67-69, Chawinroj Rungsrichai 68-68-71, Chapchai Nirat 70-66-71
208 – Kwanchai Tannin 67-71-70, Prom Meesawat 66-69-73
Selected
210 – Jay Bayron (PHI) 71-71-68, Pariya Junhasavasdikul 71-66-73
