2008 Asian Tour International - Round 3: Noh joined by Bain at top of leaderboard

Scotland’s Ross Bain carded a solid five-under-par 67 to join Korean teenager Noh Seung-yul at the top of the pack at the inaugural Asian Tour International on Saturday.

The Dubai-based Bain posted eight birdies against a bogeys and a double bogey while Noh continued to impress at the US$300,000 event after a steady bogey free 68 in the third round.

Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang, with two wins on the Asian Tour, remained in the hunt after posting back-to-back 68s in third place while second round leader Sattaya Supupramai slipped to fourth spot after a 71 at the Pattana Golf and Sports Resort.

Noh, 16, who finished runner-up at the Sail Open in India last month, kept his composure firing three birdies before nailing a final birdie on the 18th hole to remain as the joint leader.

“I knew I was trailing Ross by a stroke and needed a birdie at the last hole. It was alright as I was really calm and relaxed. I feel good with the end result but slightly disappointed with my putting today,” said Noh, who was the 2005 Korean Amateur number one.

He has a proven track record having recorded two-top 10s in 2006 and is making headway to a maiden triumph this week.

“I am not worried about the other players. I even had a chat with my playing partner Ross on the course. He is a very nice guy,” added Noh.

The 32-year-old Bain, who posted a top-10 finish at the Sail Open, had to return on course in the early morning to complete the remaining five holes in the second round. Having birdied four of the remaining five holes, Bain ended the second round with a course record 62. He then continued his rampaging run in the third round firing a 67.

“I played well and it’s really satisfying as I can see some good scoring. On the back nine, I had some slack shots and got penalised. But I made the birdies and I’m tied for the lead now. I made the choice to go back to the short putter after the long putter last year and I think it paid off,” said the Scotsman, who played alongside Noh during the first two rounds of the SK Telecom Open last year.

“Noh is a super kid and he is so young. He has a great golf game and there is no weakness. He does not have any fear in him and I will be paired with him again tomorrow. He is the man to beat but I will play my game and see how it works out,” admitted Bain.

Bain had previously enjoyed a career high when he qualified and played in all four rounds of the British Open last year. He finished as the top Scotsman with Colin Montgomerie and former Open champion Paul Lawrie missing the halfway mark. Bain’s best finish on Tour was a runner-up result at the 2001 Wills Indian Open, which was his maiden year on the Asian Tour.

Chinese Taipei’s Lin hopes to make it three titles in three years as he will be gunning to close the two stroke gap heading into the final round.

“I won in 2006 and then another triumph last year. I told my wife that I would love to win one title every year and that’s my goal. There is still a lot to play for tomorrow so I hope to catch up with the leaders and be in the running for the title,” said Lin, who won the 2006 Taiwan Open followed by the 2007 Brunei Open.

Local young gun Sattaya endured a nervy round as he dropped to lone fourth place after firing two birdies against a lone dropped shot.

“I have never been in this position before and I was a bit nervous today. I did not make the putts but I hope to bounce back in my final charge,” said Sattaya.

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

199 - Noh Seung-yul (KOR) 64-67-68, Ross Bain (SCO) 70-62-67
201 - Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 65-68-68
202 - Sattaya Supupramai (THA) 64-67-71
204 - Yoshinobu Tsukada (JPN) 71-68-65, David Bransdon (AUS) 68-69-67, Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 67-68-69, Jason King (AUS) 70-64-70, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 67-67-70
205 - Ben Leong (MAS) 67-72-66, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 71-66-68, Han Lee (USA) 67-69-69, Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 70-66-69, Piya Swangarunporn (THA) 70-65-70
Mars Pucay (PHI) 68-67-70, Simon Griffiths (ENG) 65-69-71
206 - Stephen Scahill (NZL) 70-70-66, Marcus Both (AUS) 70-66-70
207 - Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 70-69-68, Adam Blyth (AUS) 71-66-70, Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA) 70-67-70, Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 71-70-66

Other scores:

209 - Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 72-68-69, Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 70-71-68

March 22, 2008