2007 Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open - Round 3: Groom clings to lead by one from Saltus

Australia’s Adam Groom held on to a narrow one stroke lead over American Bryan Saltus after a two-under-par 70 in the third round at the inaugural Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open on Saturday.

Groom, who is currently ranked 47th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, is on course for his maiden Asian Tour title this season after shooting three birdies against a lone dropped shot for a 13-under-par 203 total.

American Saltus stayed in contention after a 71 with a similar performance by American Anthony Kang in the US$300,000 Asian Tour event. Thai trio of Thaworn Wiratchant, Chapchai Nirat, and Prom Meesawat were four strokes behind the leader also in joint third spot having fired a 67, 68 and 69 respectively at the Phokeethra Country Club.

England’s Yasin Ali, who is ranked 70th on the money list, kept his hopes alive for a card next season when he blasted his second straight 68 to lie in lone seventh spot while Ted Oh of Korea posted a 69 for a 209 total in ninth place.

Groom, 28, was two under after 10 holes and held on to a one stroke advantage when he parred the remaining eight holes on the way home.

“I guess knowing that I have secured my card for next year has helped me relax on course this week. I haven’t played four rounds under par this season and doing that this week would be a great result.

“The conditions are not that tough and with a solid game tomorrow, it might just work out. I don’t really feel any pressure especially after my round with my friend Bryan today. It was nice out there,” said Groom.

Saltus, with the help of a new Gel putter this week, remained in contention firing two birdies against a lone bogey.

“There was light at the end of the tunnel after my performance at the UBS Hong Kong Open. That’s when I realised that I could finally string together one solid round and I have moved forward since then.

“I’m proud to shoot one under today and stay in contention with Adam. I need to be more focused and I will do so by gunning for the number one spot tomorrow,” said Saltus, who shot his best round of 65 in Hong Kong last month.

Thailand’s Thaworn, who is a former Asian number one, shot up the ranks with four birdies in his first six holes as he battled the lengthy 7,226 yards par-72 Phokeethra course.

“I enjoyed a great start so I am happy with my round today. I struck two bad drives on the seventh and 12th holes where I dropped shots on both holes. After the 12th hole, I just couldn’t make the putts anymore.

“I will try my best heading into the final round. Four strokes off the pace is possible to catch up but it’s going to be quite a challenge for me because this course does not suit my game. It’s a long course and I am unable to reach the par fives in two. The par fours are long too so I can’t really play it safe tomorrow,” said Thaworn, who won his ninth Asian Tour title at the Midea China Classic in September.

Compatriot Chapchai, who is hoping to close the gap on UBS Order of Merit leader Liang Wen-chong, carded a 68 as he prepares for the final charge on Sunday.

“I was still tired despite my rest yesterday. I was fine on the front nine but started to feel tired on my last nine holes. I want to rest more today and hopefully be able to produce a better score on the final day,” said Chapchai, who enjoyed a bogey free round with four birdies.

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

203 - Adam Groom (AUS) 65-68-70
204 - Bryan Saltus (USA) 66-67-71
207 - Chapchai Nirat (THA) 68-71-68, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 70-70-67, Prom Meesawat (THA) 69-69-69, Anthony Kang (USA) 67-69-71
208 - Yasin Ali (ENG) 72-68-68
209 - Ted Oh (KOR) 71-69-69
210 - Boonchu Ruangkit (THA) 69-72-69
211 - Danny Chia (MAS) 74-68-69, David Freeman (HKG) 71-71-69, Harmeet Kahlon (IND) 69-69-73, Simon Griffiths (ENG) 69-69-73, Arjun Singh (IND) 67-70-74
212 - Lam Chih Bing (SIN) 71-73-68, Kang Ji-man (KOR) 74-70-68, Jerome Delariarte (PHI) 70-72-70, Michael Hoey (IRL) 70-73-69, Mitchell Brown (AUS) 66-77-69, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 73-70-69, Panuwat Muenlek (THA) 70-69-73, Ben St John (ENG) 69-67-76

December 1, 2007

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