Thailand’s Chawalit Plaphol extended his lead in the US$60,000 Mercedes-Benz Masters Singapore to six strokes yesterday after shooting his best round of the week with a six-under-par 66.
He moved to an impressive 15-under-par 201 for three rounds at Laguna National Golf and Country Club and is well-placed to secure his second Mercedes-Benz Tour title of the year.
His 17-year-old compatriot Panuphol Pittayarat is in second place after also carding a 66.
Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing stormed back into contention with a 65 and is tied for third with compatriot and defending champion Mardan Mamat, Singapore-based Australian Scott Barr and Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert. They are nine shots behind Chawalit.
Chawalit has made only two bogeys in three rounds, one of which came yesterday, but was overshadowed by seven birdies. He made four birdies on the trot from the first hole.
“I feel no pressure. The past few months have been great for me. I feel like a different player,” said Chawalit, who has led since day one.
He now sits in the same situation as he was in the previous Mercedes-Benz Tour event where he led for the first three rounds at the Singha E-san Open.
On that occasion, the 35-year-old was overtaken on the final day by his countryman Thaworn Wiratchant, but few can see him slipping up Saturday.
Chawalit claimed the ICTSI Mt Malarayat Championship last month in Tour.
He won that event by eight strokes to emphatically announce his comeback after a poor run of form for 18 months.
Second-placed Panuphol, a talented golfer nicknamed “Coconut” because of his round chubby features, is continuing to build a name for himself after some fine performances last year on the Mercedes-Benz Tour.
He made eight birdies and two bogeys yesterday, twice putting in for birdie from off the green.
“Yesterday nothing went right even though I worked really hard at it. So I felt I deserved it today. Everything came together,” said Panuphol, whose father is on his bag.
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