Luang Prabang, Laos, April 26 - Namchok Tantipokhakul from Thailand remained rock steady at the top of the leader board after the third round of the US$100,000 Luang Prabang Laos Open today.The 25-year-old star in the making fired a two-under-par 70 to keep the lead for the third straight day in the third event of the season on the ASEAN PGA Tour.
In hot pursuit and one shot behind is his more experienced countryman Udorn Duangdecha, who shot the same score.
Five shots behind Namchok in a tie for third are Thailand’s Ratchapol Juntavara, in with 70, and Wisut Artjanawat 72, who boasts the most number of ASEAN PGA titles with four and claimed the money list title in 2011.
Namchok is chasing his third title on the ASEAN PGA Tour. He won twice in 2009, in the Mercedes-Benz Vietnam Masters and the B-Ing Championship in Thailand, en route to claiming the Order of Merit title.
“It has been disappointing not to win for a few years so I really want to win this week,” said the powerfully built golfer who leads on seven-under-par 209.
“I know how to win so I will go into the final round with confidence and not worry about what other players are doing. Udorn is always a dangerous player though who can play aggressive golf,” added Namchok.
In 2010 he also came narrowly close to recording big victories after finishing joint second in the Thailand Open on OneAsia and losing in play-off at the Black Mountain Masters.
Four birdies and two bogeys saw him finish the day just ahead of the veteran Udorn.
Udorn, aged 42, is also in pursuit of his third title on the ASEAN PGA Tour.
It looked to be his day when he made the turn in three under but let Namchok back into it after dropping shots over the closing holes.
“The main thing is that I am very much in contention. I have a great chance tomorrow but there are some very good players who can win like Namchok and Wisut,” said Udorn.
In 2010 he won the Singha Pattaya Open on the ASEAN PGA Tour and the King’s Cup on the Asian Tour.
The following season he claimed another ASEAN PGA title at the Singha Esan Open.
Thailand’s Kwanchai Tannin, who won last week’s Singha Pattaya Open, fired a 71 and has an outside chance of the title as he is seven behind the leader.
Adi Bramantyo, who is the only remaining Indonesian player in the field, was able to climb the ranks significantly. With a round of 73 he gained 15 places in his third round and is now is a share of 34nd. With some more good play tomorrow, he has an opportunity to finish in the top 25.
Leading third round scores (Par 72, Thai unless stated):
209 - Namchok Tantipokhakul 68 71 70
210 - Udorn Duangdecha 69 71 70
214 - Ratchapol Juntavara 72 72 70, Wisut Artjanawat 73 69 72
215 - Varut Chomchalam 73 71 71, Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS) 71 70 74
216 - Kwanchai Tannin 73 72 71
217 - Sutijet Kooratanapisan 68 76 73
219 - Pol Kemmarat 72 76 71, Borworn Chaisri 71 72 76
Selected:
231 - Adi Bramantyo (INA) 76 81 73
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