Lafeber's lead cut to just one shot

Dutchman Maarten Lafeber saw his overnight four-stroke lead reduced to one as Irish star Padraig Harrington and South African Trevor Immelman caught up after the third round of the US$1.5 million BMW Asian Open today.

The 28-year-old Lafeber, chasing his first European Tour victory, carded a one-under-par 71 on another wind-swept day at Ta Shee Golf and Country Club to lead the BMW Asian Open on 13-under 203.

World number eight Harrington, who finished second in the European Order of Merit recently, and Immelman, a runner-up on three occasions this year, stepped up their challenge with matching 68s.

The BMW Asian Open is the opening leg of the 2002/03 European Tour International Schedule and the third last leg of this year’s Davidoff Tour.

American Andrew Pitts is three shots back in fourth place after a bogey-free 69 while Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand and former US Masters winner Ian Woosnam of Wales are tied fifth on 208 after rounds of 70 and 68 respectively.

“I’m happy to still be in the lead and in position for tomorrow which was my goal. It was difficult to play this afternoon as it was blowing quite hard. I let them come close which wasn’t necessary,” said Lafeber.

“I missed a short one (for par) on 17 and basically, I just couldn’t get the ball into the hole. I had plenty of chances for birdies and made two unnecessary bogeys … I shouldn’t have finished on 13-under but that’s the way it is,” added the Dutchman, who shot three birdies against two dropped shots.

But after coming desperately close to winning on several occasions this season, most recently when he jointly led the Trophee Lancome in France into the final round, Lafeber is determined to achieve his career breakthrough.

“I have to play really good to win it. That is what I’m going to try and do and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been in contention in Madrid and Paris recently and a lot of times I’ve been close to the leaders. You feel it’s your time but you can’t force it. The thing is that I’m good enough to win the tournament.

“Trevor hasn’t won before and is dying to win and Padraig is top 10 in the world and he’s won before. I think from the whole field, they are the two toughest competitors that I have behind me. It’s going to be a very difficult day and all I can do is to give 100 percent and battle hard. If it ’s enough, it’s enough. If not, I’ll come back another time,” said Lafeber.

Harrington, who played in the last pairing with Lafeber, recorded six birdies on his card, the last birdie coming from 40 feet on the 15th green which delighted the crowd and a band of Irish supporters.

“Maarten has been in contention, it seems, in every tournament for the past two months in Europe, and in some of them I actually played with him. He’s a bit like myself and one of these days it’s going to click and he’ll learn and he’ll start winning lots of tournaments.

“He played quite well today, but unfortunately he’s going to have another tough day tomorrow. Trevor and I are only one shot behind and there are others close by,” said Harrington, winner of the Dunhill Links Championship last month.

Immelman took advantage of the par fives with three birdies on four for them and said that his aggressive play helped launch him into contention again. “I played really well. I’ve been in contention a few times this year and I felt like I wanted to go out there today and give it a go.

“In the times that I’ve been in contention this year, I probably tried not to play badly instead of trying to play well. That’s why I finished second three times. I went out there, played aggressive and shot a good score. I’m going to be aggressive again in the final round as you can’t wait for others to make mistakes,” said Immelman, who finished 14th on the European money list.

Former soldier Thongchai remains Asia’s best hope in the BMW Asian Open, where he finished tied second in last year’s inaugural event. He holed out for an eagle three from 42 yards on the 14th but said later he felt tired during his round.

“I felt a bit tired midway through but I’ve got to go to the range now to sort out my driver. I dropped two shots after missing my drive but it’s good to still be up on the leaderboard,” said Thongchai, the current leader of the Davidoff Tour Order of Merit.

“My strategy tomorrow will be the same as always. I’ll aim for fairways and greens and hope to make some putts,” added the Thai, who is featuring in his 37th tournament of the year this week.

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