Saturday April 04, 2009, 04:21 PM

Talented Thai teenager Kiradech Aphibarnrat moved closer to becoming the youngest winner on the Mercedes-Benz Tour when he took a three-shot lead in the Singha Pattaya Open on Saturday.

Kiradech, 19, started four behind Pakistani Nadeem Inayat but six birdies in 13 holes saw him scream ahead of the halfway leader who faltered with three bogeys against two birdies.

The nineteen-year-old was on 15 under for the tournament when the third round finished. Play will resume at 6.40 am on Sunday.

Kiradech, a former world junior champion, led for three rounds of the B-ing Championship on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Tour before being beaten by Filipino Felix Casas on the last day and is determined not to slip up.

"I am looking for a win but there are still a lot of holes to play," the golfer said. "I hit the ball really well today and could have had more birdies but I missed a couple of short putts."

Leading second round scores after play was completed on Saturday (Thailand unless stated):

Par 71

129 - Nadeem Inayat (PAK) 65-64

133 - Kiradech Aphibarnrat 68-65

136 - Ronnachai Jamnong 69-67, Kwanchai Tannin 67-69

137 - Lu Tze-shyan (TPE) 71-66, Anthony Fernando (PHI) 71-66, Kritsada Rangwat 66-71, Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 69-68

138 - Pravee Visalkit 69-69, Namchok Tantipokhakul 72-66, Somkiat Srisa-Nga 71-67, Prom Meesawat 69-69, Thammanoon Srirot 71-67, Rory Hie (INA) 68-70

139 - Wisut Artjanawat 70-69, Marvin Dumandan (PHI) 71-68 140 - Baek Seuk-hyun (KOR) 71-69, Thaworn Wiratchant 71-69

141- Bae Kyu-tae (KOR) 71-70, Chawinroj Krobteeranon 71-70, Choengchai Panpumpo 70-71, Atthaphon Prathummanee 74-67, Rey Pagunsan 74-67 (PHI), Steven Tan (MAL) 73-68

© 2009 AFP/sid