Gowa, November 16 - Annop Tangkamolprasert from Thailand took control of the US$100,000 Gowa Classic today by posting a third round five-under-par 67 for a three stroke lead.
The 22-year-old put himself in an excellent position to claim his maiden professional title by making an eagle, five birdies and just two bogeys.
Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang and Pravee Visalkit from Thailand lie in second place at Padivalley Golf Club.
Choo shot a 72 while Pravee carded 70 in the second from last event of the season on the ASEAN PGA Tour.
Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat, last year’s ASEAN PGA Tour Order of Merit champion, returned a 71 and is four behind the front runner.
His compatriot Apichart Papitak, the leader after the first two rounds, tumbled down the leaderboard with an 82.
For the second day in a row a lengthy delay due to bad weather that lasted about two and a half hours hit as players were nearing the end of their rounds.
Annop was forced off the course on the 17th and returned later to birdie it although he dropped a shot on the last.
“I have been playing well for the past three months but today’s round is more than I expected,” said Annop, whose brother Pavit also plays on Tour.
The Thai golfer leads on six-under-par 210.
“I have never won as a professional so I feel quite nervous. My best finish is second in Thailand. I will just stick to my game plan, play safe and see what happens tomorrow.”
He turned professional in 2007 and plays his golf at Amata Spring Country Club in Thailand.
Rookie pro Choo is also in search if his first professional victory.
“It is great to be in this position. It is proving to be quite a test with these delays but I am staying patient and relaxed,” said 25-year-old Choo.
The Singaporean was the region’s top amateur before turning professional in November last year. He won the individual title in the Putra Cup in 2006 and 2011 and played college golf at the University of Washington.
Indonesia’s Andik Mauluddin came in with 71 and is five behind Annop along with Kenneth De Silva from Malaysia who fired a 72.
Roby Sugara from Indonesia, who is based at Padivalley, shot a 66 for the best round of the week but is six over for the tournament.
The Gowa Classic is the first professional tournament staged in Makassar - a port city located on Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. Gowa is located on the perimeter of Makassar.
Leading third round scores:
210 - Annop Tangkamolprasert (THA) 73 70 67
213 - Pravee Visalkit (THA) 72 71 70, Choo Tze Huang (SIN) 71 70 72
214 - Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 73 70 71
215 - Andik Mauluddin (INA) 73 71 71, Kenneth De Silva (MAS) 72 71 72
216 - Benny Kasiadi (INA) 73 71 72, George Gandranata (INA) 71 72 73
217 - Ekalak Waisayakul (THA) 77 70 70
218 - Piya Swangarunporn (THA) 73 72 73
219 - Wittawat Sae-Ung (THA) 71 74 74, Choengchai Panpumpo (THA) 70 74 75
220 - Pawin Ingkhapradit (THA) 74 73 73, Chawinroj Krobteeranon (THA) 72 71 77
221 - Somsak Khaoprathum (THA) 79 73 69, Egon Nielsen (THA) 75 73 73, Apichart Papitak (THA) 69 70 82
222 - Blair Wilson (AUS) 75 75 72, Roby Sugara (INA) 79 77 66
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