Australian rookie Rick Kulacz surged into the third-round lead at the US$300,000 Brunei Open yesterday with Asia’s most prolific winner Thaworn Wiratchant and South Korea’s Ted Oh snapping at his heels.
Kulacz, playing in his first season on the Asian Tour, fired a flawless four-under-par 67 to snatch a one-shot lead from Thai star Thaworn, who holds a record 10 titles in the region, and overnight leader Oh.
Thaworn dropped a bogey at his last hole for a 66 at a blustery Empire Hotel and Country Club while Oh, bidding for his maiden Asian Tour title, battled to a 71.
PHOTO: AFP
Taiwan’s Lu Wen-teh (呂文德) shot 69 to move into contention and lie three off the pace alongside last year’s runner-up Adam Le Vesconte of Australia (67) and his compatriot Andrew Dodt (66), as well as Thailand’s Somkiat Srisanga (70).
Although the 23-year-old Kulacz is chasing his first win on the Asian Tour, the Australian has previously tasted victory in a professional tournament when he won the 2006 New South Wales Open when he was an amateur.
“It’s good to be leading,” said Kulacz, who was the 2001 world junior champion. “I’m going to have fun tomorrow and see where it takes me. If I play well and win, so be it. If someone else plays better than I do, good on him,” he said, with a three-day total of 12-under-par 201.
The 41-year-old Thaworn, Asia’s No. 1 in 2005, surged into contention with his seven-birdie round.
“I hit a lot of good tee shots except for the last and my putting came in at the right now. After turning in one under, I didn’t think I could get close to the lead but I started making putts, so I’m quite happy,” Thaworn said.
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