“Thai Diamond” Phachara takes 2-shot lead into final day in South Korea

BY ATGT ON May Thu, 2017 16:20

The 18-year-old, starting the third round with two shots behind leader Rattanon Wannasrichan, made four birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey for a 72 at par-71 Namseoul Country Club. He was at 8-under-205 at the OneAsia tournament.

“It is a very tough day for me. It is a gusty wind,” said the young gun, whose round including a bogey at 17th and a final-hole double bogey.

Asked about his game plan tomorrow when the strong wind is expected, the Hat Yai native said that he would stick to his own game.

“I will not change anything.”

Phachara is looking for his first big win this year after finishing second in Australia and Singapore. Should he make it he would be the first non-Korean player to win the the GS Caltex Maekyung Open since American Mark Calcavecchia in 2004.

Overnight leader Rattanon had a bad round to forget when he struggled with a 78. The Little Prince turned at 39 with two birdies, two bogeys and a triple bogey at 8th and then suffered four more bogeys in the back nine.

The 21-year-old, who was on 209, four shots behind compatriot Phachara, found it harder to hit the ball because of the wind.

“The wind is quite strong and I have a problem with my tee-shot,” he said.

“I could not keep a ball in the fairway and that troubled me a lot.”

“Worse, the green is much faster.”

Gunn Charoenkul (73) was tied for 14th on 213 while Namchok Tantipokhakul (74) shared 30th on 215 with Danthai Boonma (76) two shots down further on 217.

Poom Saksansin (76) was on 218 and Udorn Duangdecha (78) on 221.

The 2017 GS Caltex Maekyung Open is the second tournament on the 2017 OneAsia schedule after the Volvo China Open.