2006 Macau Open - Kennedy stretches lead to three

The cool 31 year-old, who was the overnight leader, remained unshakeable as he held a three stroke lead over countryman Kane Webber who was even-par for the day.

Australian star Steve Elkington, who is a major winner, struggled to a 74 and dropped to tied 20th position at the Macau Golf and Country Club.

Thai young gun Chinarat Phadungsil, who is ranked 31st on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, shot up to joint third after a 70 with South African Peter Karmis who was level-par. Australia’s Scott Strange slipped down to tied fifth position when he struck a 74 alongside compatriot Scott Barr who carded a 69. American Anthony Kang and Australia’s Marcus Both were also joint fifth as both players finished even-par.

Kennedy, who started playing in Asia back in 2001, fired three birdies against a lone bogey and finished with a three-day total of 11-under-par 202.

“I got off to a comfortable start with a good up and down on the first hole. I had birdies on the third, seventh and 18th holes. It was tough all the way through, the wind was gusting and I had to make sure that I had the right club in my hand,” said Kennedy, who bogeyed the par three 16th hole.

“I’m happy with the way I played. The back nine was a real test though,” he said.

Kennedy continued to ride on his consistent form as he dropped only two shots since the opening day.

“I feel like I’m in control of my swings and I will go out there and keep the same attitude tomorrow. I will do what I can as I enjoy the position I’m in now,” he said.

Webber, who is a rookie playing in only his second event on the Asian Tour, shot three birdies against an equal number of bogeys.

“It was a good way to learn the course watching Kennedy play. I hung in there, got some pars out there and I’m happy to be even-par,” said Webber, who finished tied fifth at the Aamby Valley Asian Masters in India last week.

Chinarat, who won the Double A International Open last year, had a brilliant start when he fired two birdies on the third and seventh holes followed by an eagle on the par four eighth hole. He lost grip on the back nine with a bogey on the 14th and a double bogey on the 17th hole.

“The ball landed beside a tree after my tee shot at the 17th and I could not back swing. So I had to use my left hand but the following shot fell short. My next shot landed in the rough and then I two putted. It was a bit disappointing,” said the 17-year-old Thai.

“My putts today were good. I will not feel pressured as I will go out there tomorrow and play my own game,” he added.

Elkington’s solid run took a bitter blow today when he shot three birdies against two double bogeys.

“I did not play very good today. The wind was in the opposite direction, but I could have done better. Tomorrow I’m going to attack,” said Elkington, who just recovered from a groin injury.

Thailand’s Prom Meesawat, the SK Telecom Open winner, was in joint ninth position as he carded a 70. After shooting a 67, Englishman Chris Rodgers, the Pakistan Open champion, was also tied ninth alongside Australia’s Alistair Presnell and Jason Knutzon of United States as they both scored matching 69s.

Ends.

Leading third round scores

202 - Brad Kennedy (AUS) 68-65-69

205 - Kane Webber (AUS) 69-65-71

207 - Chinarat Phadungsil (THA) 69-68-70, Peter Karmis (RSA) 71-64-72

208 - Scott Barr (AUS) 71-68-69, Marcus Both (AUS) 66-70-72, Anthony Kang (USA) 69-67-72, Scott Strange (AUS) 70-64-74

209 - Chris Rodgers (ENG) 70-72-67, Alistair Presnell (AUS) 72-68-69, Jason Knutzon (USA) 71-69-69, Prom Meesawat (THA) 70-69-70

210 - Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 72-72-66, Chen Yuan-chi (TPE) 74-68-68, Park Jun-won (KOR) 72-69-69, Barry Hume (SCO) 74-66-70, Jochen Lupprian (GER) 70-71-69

Hong Chia-yuh (TPE) 70-70-70, Ari Savolainen (FIN) 70-69-71

211 - Kevin Chun (NZL) 72-71-68, Lu Wei-chih (TPE) 69-74-68, Jarrod Moseley (AUS) 75-66-70, Gerald Rosales (PHI) 72-68-71, Pat Giles (AUS) 70-70-71

Steve Elkington (AUS) 71-66-74

May 20, 2006