Seoul, May 28: Korea's Choi Sang-ho will take a three-shot cushion into the final round of the US$500,000 Maekyung Open after carding an even-par 72 at Nam Seoul Country Club in the third round on Saturday.
The 50-year-old local favourite will become the oldest winner on the Asian Tour if he holds on to victory but is expected to face strong challenges from Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant (pictured) and reigning Korean Open champion Edward Loar of the United States.
The unorthodox swinging Thaworn, currently second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, moved to within striking range of the leader, a third round 69 moving him to second place while left-handed Loar matched Thaworn's score to lie a further stroke back in third place alongside Korea's Sung Si-woo.
India's Amandeep Johl, one of Asia's heroes in the Visa Dynasty Cup triumph over Japan last month, finished the day five back after a 70 as he kept alive his chances of improving on his runner-up outing here two years ago.
Since leading from the opening round, Choi has been a joy to watch but he showed his first sign of nerves with a double bogey on the 10th hole. He had turned superbly in three under with birdies on the fourth, fifth and ninth holes but had a difficult inward nine where he also dropped two bogeys against one more birdie.
"I was really happy with my start on the front nine," said Choi, who has a three-day total of eight-under-par 208. "But that mistake on 10 set me back a little bit. However, I'm still looking good for tomorrow and I'm confident I can win the title," said the veteran.
If Choi holds off his challengers, he will take over the mantle as the eldest winner in Asia, surpassing Boonchu Ruangkit of Thailand who was 47 years old when he won the Thai Open last season.
Thaworn has added incentives for a good finish on Sunday which will see him dislodging compatriot Thongchai Jaidee from the top of the Order of Merit. Thaworn, just under US$4,000 behind Thongchai, had five birdies on the card but like Choi, he also stumbled with a double bogey on the par three sixth hole.
Leading third round scores
208 - Choi Sang-ho (KOR) 66-70-72
211 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 71-71-69
212 - Edward Loar (USA) 73-70-69, Sung Si-woo (KOR) 72-70-70
213 - Kim Hyung-tae (KOR) 70-74-69, Amandeep Johl (IND) 72-71-70 (pictured)
214 - Kang Ji-man (KOR) 70-74-70, Boonchu Ruangkit (THA) 72-71-71, Hur In-hoi [A] (KOR) 74-69-71, Kim Kyung-tae [A] (KOR) 71-69-74, Marcus Both (AUS) 71-70-73
215 - Kong John-joon (KOR) 73-71-71, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 71-72-72, Alejandro Quiroz (MEX) 70-72-73, David Oh (USA) 71-71-73, Park Do-kyu (KOR) 72-70-73
216 - Bae Sang-moon (KOR) 72-74-70, Kang Kyung-nam (KOR) 74-72-70, Kim Dae-sub (KOR) 72-72-72, Kwon Myung-ho (KOR) 75-74-67
217 - Park No-Seok (KOR) 72-74-71, Kim Young-sin (KOR) 77-69-71, Kang Wook-soon (KOR) 73-74-70, Park Boo-won (KOR) 71-72-74, Simon Yates (SCO) 75-69-73
218 - Choi Jin-ho (KOR) 72-74-72, Andrew Pitts (USA) 72-74-72, Moon Ji-wook (KOR) 72-74-72, Choi Ho-sung (KOR) 75-71-72, Richard Lee (NZL) 70-75-73, Jason Dawes (AUS) 72-73-73, Choi Gwang-soo (KOR) 71-74-73, Cho Chan-Hee (KOR) 73-70-75
219 - Angelo Que (PHI) 72-74-73, Prom Meesawat (THA) 75-71-73, Nam Young-woo (KOR) 72-76-71, Mahal Darren Pearce (NZL) 74-74-71, Anthony Kang (USA) 74-75-70, Mike Capone (USA) 76-67-76, Alistair Presnell (AUS) 73-76-70, Kim Hae-dong [A] (KOR) 75-67-77
|
