Thongchai goes for his biggest win ever
- Published: 6/02/2010 at 08:52 PM
- Online news: Sports
Dubai: Overnight leader Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand was joined by Spaniards Miguel Angel Jimenez and Alvaros Quiros and Lee Westwood of England in a four-way tie for the lead after Saturday's third round of the Dubai Desert Classic.
Seeking what would be the biggest win of his career, the 40-year-old former army paratrooper from Lop Buri once again went bogey-free as he compiled a round of three-under 69 and at one stage was three shots clear of the field.
But as he parred his way down the back nine, the big guns closed in with a barrage of birdies in the near perfect playing conditions at the Emirates Golf Club.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy stayed in contention with a 69 to stand at nine under, two shots off the pace with Edorado Molinari of Italy (70) and Marcus Fraser of Australia (70) a further shot adrift.
Thongchai has attracted a growing gallery as he sailed to the lead at Dubai.
Thongchai, who has found a new lease of life at 40 after overcoming severe back problems, led by one going into the third round and he moved into a three strokes lead with birdies at the third, eighth and ninth.
But he played conservatively after that with nine straight pars challenging the others to come after him.
Four men successfully took up the challenge.
The big-hitting Quiros, tipped for the top by none other than Tom Watson, who played with him over the first two rounds, was first to reach the Thai ace him at 11-under with four birdies down the back nine, including the last two holes, for a 67.
European No1 Lee Westwood followed as he too went on the attack with birdies at 11, 13 and 15 for a 68.
Finally Thongchai's playing partner Miguel Angel Jimenez made it a four-way tie, narrowly missing a 15-footer at the last that would have given him the outright lead. The Ryder Cup star settled for a 68.
source : bangkokpost.com
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น