2007 Bangkok Airways Open - Round 3: Lee fires course record 62 for seven shot lead

Lee Sung of Korea set a new course record of nine-under-par 62 in the third round for a commanding seven-stroke lead at the Bangkok Airways Open on Saturday.

Lee, with his brother Lee Sung-joo on the bag this week, fired an impressive nine birdies for a three-day total of 16-under-par 197 at the Santiburi Samui Country Club. Lee broke the previous course record of 64 set by Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat on Friday.

Singapore’s Mardan Mamat was in lone second spot after a 67 while Prayad Marksaeng, who is currently ranked 10th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, blasted a 64 for tied third place. Thai young gun Prom Meesawat carded a 66 also in joint third spot and eight strokes adrift the leader.

Lee, who was born deaf, opened up a six stroke lead after ten holes that included three straight birdies on the fifth, sixth and seventh holes. The highly charged Korean then blazed past the challenging par-71 course with four more birdies on the way home.

“I am strong mentally. I am not going to be affected by my score or by how much I’m leading. I have been having this approach since the first round and will do the same on Sunday,” said Lee, who started his run with a birdie on the opening hole.

“I am happy with how I finished the round. A two feet birdie putt on the 18th hole thanks to a nice approach shot left me feeling really good,” admitted the leader, who communicates through his brother by lip reading.

“I will head straight back to the hotel and watch a couple of movies in my room to relax my mind. Things have been working right for me and I want to be calm and collected when I tee off on Sunday,” he added.

Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, after a solid campaign in Wales, overcame a slow start with five birdies on the last nine holes as he climbed up to second place.

“I managed to overcome a bad round and get into position today, so I am quite pleased. I will concentrate on my own game as you will never know what will happen here,” said Mardan, who was one over on the front nine.

“But I have to give credit to Lee today. He played tremendous golf out there. Shooting a nine-under-par on this course is an admirable feat,” added the Singaporean.

Local hero Prayad, who plays primarily in Japan, was determined to chase the flying Korean firing seven birdies in joint third place.

“I have always done better after I’ve made the cut. That’s my usual approach. But this week, I had to be really aggressive in the third round because Lee is running away at the top,” said Prayad, who has won five times in Asia.

“If I had kept to my rhythm, I would not be able to close the gap. Lee has been very steady the past three days but anything can happen on this course so I will try my best,” admitted the 41-year-old Thai.

Compatriot Prom, who won the SK Telecom Open in 2006, admitted that it will be an uphill battle in the final round but with accurate putting this week, he will be geared to better his 66 score today.

“I was solid on the greens today. I managed to hole it from 16 feet on the second, sixth, 14th and 15th holes which was good. It is not going to be easy with such a big gap but I hope to hang in there and deliver another strong round on Sunday,” said Prom.

Australia’s Adam Blyth was in joint fifth position after a 69 alongside defending champion Chawalit Plaphol who fired his best round of 66 for a 206 total.

Leading third round scores (click here for full leaderboard):

197 - Lee Sung (KOR) 66-69-62

204 - Mardan Mamat (SIN) 72-65-67

205 - Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 69-72-64, Prom Meesawat (THA) 72-67-66

206 - Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 73-67-66, Adam Blyth (AUS) 69-68-69

207 - Taichiro Kiyota (JPN) 70-69-68, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 69-69-69

208 - Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 69-67-72, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 72-64-72

209 - Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 71-70-68, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 70-71-68, Tony Lascuna (PHI) 70-70-69

210 - Chen Yuan-chi (TPE) 70-72-68

211 - Kwanchai Tannin (THA) 75-69-67, Han Lee (USA) 71-73-67, Gurbaaz Mann (IND) 73-66-72, Lu Wen-teh (TPE) 71-69-71, S.S.P. Chowrasia (IND) 71-66-74

212 - Park Jun-Won (KOR) 72-71-69, Guido Van Der Valk (NLD) 69-72-71

213 - Gaurav Ghei (IND) 72-70-71, Mike Cunning (USA) 72-71-70, Rashid Ismail (MAS) 72-72-69, Olle Nordberg (SWE) 72-70-71, Neven Basic (AUS) 71-67-75