Bangkok: Thai prospect Rattanon Wannasrichan closed with a pair of birdies to sign for a flawless six-under-par 65, grabbing the outright lead by one shot in the penultimate round of the US$300,000 Thailand Open on Saturday.

 

Rattanon Wannasrichan of Thailand

 

"I am really pleased with my bogey-free round today. I hit the ball good. Everything was good and I am putting well again.

I hope I can continue to putt well tomorrow. I am very happy with the way I finished the round. I am not thinking too much about winning. I don’t want to give myself unnecessary pressure. I just want to enjoy my game." said Wannasrichan. 

 

The 21-year-old Thai, who had held a share of the lead in the first two rounds, sank six birdies to stay atop the leaderboard on 17-under-par 196 total at the scenic Thai Country Club. His countryman Panuphol Pittayarat carded a superb 64 to trail by one in second place.

 

Indian hotshot Gaganjeet Bhullar posted a 67 to take third place on 198 while Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat marked his best efforts of the week with a 65 to stay three shots off the pace in fourth at the Thailand Open.

 

Gaganjeet Bhullar

 

"I hit the ball really well again today. I have been giving myself a lot of birdie opportunities this week. I left about four to five birdies out there though but overall, I hit the ball really solid, missing only one fairway. I was giving myself a lot of chances although I had three lip-outs today." said Bhullar

 

"It was a hot and humid day. The wind wasn’t an issue today. That’s why you see a lot of low scores out there. At the back of my mind, I do know that I am in contention and I have the opportunity to chase for an eighth win on the Asian Tour." he added.

 

Malaysia’s Ben Leong returned with a 66 to share fifth place with Terry Pilkadaris (66) of Australia and Thailand’s Pawin Ingkhapradit (68) on 200 at the storied event, which returned onto the Asian Tour schedule this week following an eight-year lapse.

 

The Thailand Open, inaugurated in 1965, is also the first leg of the newly launched Panasonic Swing, which provides a bonus pool across five designated tournaments.