Udorn Duangdecha (AFP)
Halfway leader Udorn Duangdecha overcame early jitters with a birdie blitz on the back nine to maintain his stranglehold at the end of the Singha E-San Open third round on Friday.
Halfway leader Udorn Duangdecha overcame early jitters with a birdie blitz on the back nine to maintain his stranglehold at the end of the Singha E-San Open third round on Friday.
The 40-year-old Thai shot five birdies on the inward half for a 68 and a total of 17 under 199 at Singha Park Golf Club.
He holds a three-shot lead over Thai teenager Poosit Supupramai, who eagled the 18th for the second successive day, and countryman Tanutchan Puaktes. They both shot 67s.
Defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant and the in-form Chawalit Plaphol are seven strokes off the pace in joint fourth after also carding 67s.
The 40-year-old Udorn made a poor start with a bogey at the opening hole and was one over after 10. But a sensational inward stretch made up for it.
"I did not putt well on the front nine, my direction was off, but I was not worried as the back nine is easier here," said Udorn, bidding for his second win on the ASEAN PGA Tour after his victory in the 2010 Singha Pattaya Open.
An impressive chip-in birdie from below the 16th green highlighted a run of three straight birdies from the 15th.
"That shot could be key to me winning the tournament," he said.
"I am playing well on a course I love and my confidence is 120 per cent. I know I can win," he added.
Leading third round scores (Thai unless stated)
199 - Udorn Duangdecha 66-65-68
202 - Poosit Supupramai 68-67-67, Tanutchan Puaktes 70-65-67
206 - Chawalit Plaphol 70-69-67, Thaworn Wiratchant 66-73-67
207 - Namchok Tantipokhakul 71-67-69, Chawinroj Rungsrichai 68-68-71, Chapchai Nirat 70-66-71
208 - Kwanchai Tannin 67-71-70, Prom Meesawat 66-69-73
© 2011 AFP/sid
