Rhys Davies moves up to a share of

fourth place in Vietnam Masters

PRESS RELEASE
Ho Chi Minh, December 6: Thai star Thongchai Jaidee fired a two-under-par 70 and joined Japan’s Kodai Ichihara and Korea’s Pyo Suk-min at the top of the pack at the Hana Bank Vietnam Masters today.
The former Asian Tour number one holed four birdies against two dropped shots for a 10-under-par 206 total and was tied at the top of the leaderboard alongside overnight leader Pyo who shot a 73 and first round pace setter Ichihara who was even-par for the day in the third round at the Vietnam Golf and Country Club.
Korea’s Young Nam and Welsh rookie pro Rhys Davies (pictured above), a former Walker Cup player and leading player from the American college circuit, shot matching 70s to lie in a tie for fourth spot together with Filipino Artemio Murakami who posted a 71 for a 207 total. Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant carded a 71 and was in the mix in seventh place alongside Pijit Petchkasem of Thailand who improved with a 69 in the US$500,000 Asian Tour tournament.
With eight wins on the Asian Tour, Thongchai will be gunning to end his two year title drought this week.
“I’ve been trying my best at every event including this week. My putting in the last two weeks has not been steady but this week it’s been good. The greens are slightly tricky though.
“My plan is to have a good overall game. The pin positions were tough but I played some good shots out there and if can remain steady in the final day, then I should be in a good position for a win,” said Thongchai, who won the 2006 Volvo Masters of Asia.
Japan’s Ichihara, who finished in the top-10 at the Philippine Open, shrugged off the early nerves for an even par performance today.
“I was nervous today playing in the final group but after the first few holes, I regained my rhythm and stayed composed. It will be my first time playing with Thongchai so it’s going to be an exciting final round for me,” said Ichihara, who was the 1999 World Junior individual and team champion.
Korea’s Pyo, who is playing in his debut event on the Asian Tour this week, will be taking on a relaxed approach heading into the final round.
“I spoke to my dad (Pyo Chang-hwan) over the phone and he told me to follow my rhythm so I will not think about the result but take it one hole at a time.
“I was a bit nervous and my confidence level dropped but I’ve learned from my experience today and will head out with a more calm approach tomorrow,” said the 23-year-old Pyo.
Korea’s Young Nam holed an eagle at the par five 10th hole on the way to a 70.
“My putting was poor but if I can improve on that, then it should turn out well on Sunday and strengthen my position on the rankings,” said the Korean golfer.
Australia’s Scott Barr achieved the tournament’s second hole-in-one at the par three 177 yards eighth hole on the way to a 74 to lie in a tie for 19th place.
“The hole-in-one was great but I double bogeyed the next hole, but that’s golf I guess,” said Barr, who is gunning for his first top-10 result this season.
THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD

Par 216 (3 x 72)
206 - Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 67-69-70, Pyo Suk-min (KOR) 66-67-73, Kodai Ichihara (JPN) 65-69-72
207 - Rhys Davies (WAL) 67-70-70, Artemio Murakami (PHI) 67-69-71, Young Nam (KOR) 67-70-70
208 - Pijit Petchkasem (THA) 69-70-69, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 72-65-71
209 - Lam Chih bing (SIN) 73-69-67, Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 71-70-68, Sattaya Supupramai (THA) 69-70-70, Wang Ter-chang (TPE) 66-70-73
210 - Pornsakon Tipsanit (THA) 73-69-68, Frankie Minoza (PHI) 69-72-69, Andrew Dodt (AUS) 70-71-69, S. Siva Chandhran (MAS) 71-70-69
211 - Taichiro Kiyota (JPN) 68-72-71, Jason King (AUS) 71-68-72
212 - Kwanchai Tannin (THA) 73-72-67, Baaz Mann (IND) 73-71-68, David Bransdon (AUS) 73-70-69, Simon Griffiths (ENG) 72-71-69, Anthony Kang (USA) 67-76-69, Somkiat Srisanga (THA) 72-67-73, Scott Barr (AUS) 66-72-74