2007 Hana Bank Vietnam Masters - Round 3: Chawalit takes a one shot lead into Sunday

Thailand’s Chawalit Plaphol produced a glorious finish to earn sole possession of the third round lead in the inaugural Hana Bank Vietnam Masters after an impressive five-under-par 67 on Saturday.

Chawalit, who started the day as joint leader, birdied his closing two holes for a three-day aggregate of 11-under par 205 to take a one-stroke lead over Simon Griffiths of England in the US$500,000 Asian Tour event.

Overnight co-leader Griffiths started his day with a bogey but clawed his way back into the title hunt by firing five birdies at the spectacular Hanoi Phoenix Golf Resort.

Anthony Kang and Han Lee of the United States, Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, and Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley of Ireland are all bunched together at third place on 209.

Chawalit, bidding for a third Asian Tour title, relied on the strength of his short game to reel in three birdies on the front nine followed by another two on the final two holes to lay one hand on the inaugural Hana Bank Vietnam Masters title.

“My tee shots today were not very good. I only managed to hit six fairways but I’m lucky my short game saved me today. I made a total of 23 putts which was excellent,” said Chawalit who converted his final birdie on the 18th hole from 13 feet.

Griffiths is battling to keep his card on the Asian Tour as he is 78th on the UBS Order of Merit and knows that a good finish on Sunday could well prevent him from returning to Qualifying School.

He turned in 33 and missed out on adding a sixth birdie at the last hole when his chip stopped centimeters away from the cup.

“I’m very happy with my 68. I hit couple of good shots and managed to hold some putts so overall it’s a good day,” said Griffiths.

“I didn’t really let that first bogey affect me. I made a birdie on the fourth hole and holed a long putt on the sixth. That sort of calmed me down a bit which was good,” added Griffiths.

Ryder Cup star McGinley overcame a sluggish start on the opening day to stay within striking distance of the leader after carding a 68 which included five birdies against a lone bogey.

“Obviously the first day wasn’t so good. I made too many mistakes but I played well yesterday and today. I need to make more putts if I want to win this tournament,” said McGinley.

The 34-year-old Kang continued to stay in the hunt for his first title of the year with a battling 70 to lie four strokes off the lead. However, the American knows his iron play needs to be hot in the final round tomorrow.

“I really didn’t have many opportunities for birdies. Coming in from about 30 feet, it was really difficult to make putts. I’ve to get the ball closer to the hole on my approaches for a better chance for birdies tomorrow,” said Kang.

Chapchai who needs a win to keep alive his hopes of overtaking current leader Liang Wen-chong of China in the race for the UBS Order of Merit, continued to stay within touching distance of the leader.

“I felt I played better than yesterday. My drive and iron shots were all better and I’m beginning to discover my momentum,” said Chapchai, who shot a 70 to lie four off the pace.

Leading Third Round Scores (click here for full leaderboard):

205 - Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 71-67-67
206 - Simon Griffiths (ENG) 68-70-68
209 - Paul Mcginley (IRL) 74-67-68, Han Lee (USA) 69-70-70, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 68-71-70, Anthony Kang (USA) 73-66-70
210 - Simon Yates (SCO) 70-70-70
211 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 73-69-69, Zaw Moe (MYN) 70-72-69,Martin Rominger (SUI) 66-74-71, Gary Rusnak (USA) 69-70-72, Boonchu Ruangkit (THA) 68-70-73
212 - David Gleeson (AUS) 73-69-70,Charlie Wi (KOR) 71-70-71, Lin Wen-hong (TPE) 67-73-72, Thammanoon Srirot (THA) 69-70-73

November 24, 2007

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