KING'S CUP THIRD-ROUND REPORT, SCORES

INDIA'S ANIRBAN LAHIRI IS LEADER

 OF PACK IN THAILAND

  ASIAN TOUR NEWS RELEASE

Khon Kaen, Thailand: India’s Anirban Lahiri set up a mouth-watering showdown with some of Thailand’s finest golfers after taking a slender one-shot lead with a third round four-under-par 68 at the King’s Cup today.

Thaworn Wiratchant, a 17-time Asian Tour winner, is ready to deny Lahiri’s title ambitions as he carded a flawless 66 to take second place while Australia’s Andrew Dodt gate crashed the home party by sharing third place with Sutijet Kooratanapisan, Panuphol Pittayarat and Jakraphan Premsirigorn at the Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club.

Lahiri, who led from the opening day, surprised even himself after returning to find himself back atop the leaderboard at the US$500,000 Asian Tour event.

The 27-year-old struggled early in his round as he could only turn in 36, having one birdie offset by a bogey-four on the fifth hole.

“I’m actually surprised to find myself in the lead as I didn’t play well today especially on the front-nine. It was quite a struggle there. It felt like every step I took, I took two steps back again,” said Lahiri.

Lahiri’s game came back to life with two birdies in three holes after the turn. He dropped another shot on 13 but picked up a further gain on 15 before an eagle-three on the closing 18 saw him displacing Thaworn at the top with his three-day total of 16-under-par 200.

“I knew Thaworn was off to a hot start and I was struggling on the front-nine. I was just trying to catch up and stay ahead. So it was really nice to finish off with an eagle as I really needed that boost,” said Lahiri.

Thaworn, who wore yellow to honour the King, is expected to breathe down Lahiri’s neck when they tee off together in the final group.

“I want more wins. 17 titles is not enough and I’m going for more. It’s going to be an exciting day tomorrow as anything can happen and may the best man win,” said Thaworn.

The 47-year-old got off to a scorching start with five birdies in his opening six holes.

He could not replicate his birdie blitz after the turn, managing only one birdie on 11 but was his score was still enough to keep him in contention for his 18^th win on the region’s premier Tour.

“It was a good start and I was glad I took all my chances there. Not as many birdies in the back-nine but it’s okay as I didn’t drop any shots and I’m still in contention. I’m confident,” said Thaworn.

Unlike Thaworn, fellow countryman Sutijet will be hoping to get the better of his nerves when he steps back to the tee on the final day.

 THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD

   par 216. yardage 7,449.

200 Anirban LAHIRI (IND) 65-67-68.

201 Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 68-67-66.

203 Sutijet KOORATANAPISAN (THA) 70-68-65, Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) 68-69-66, Jakraphan PREMSIRIGORN (THA) 69-65-69, Andrew DODT (AUS) 69-65-69.

204 Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 68-69-67, Paul PETERSON (USA) 69-68-67, Danthai BOONMA (THA) 66-70-68.

205 Mathiam KEYSER (RSA) 68-69-68, Carlos PIGEM (ESP) 67-69-69.

206 Rattanon WANNASRICHAN (THA) 71-68-67, Kalem RICHARDSON (AUS) 66-72-68, Phiphatphong NAEWSUK (THA) 66-71-69, S.S.P CHOWRASIA (IND) 65-71-70.

207 Phachara KHONGWATMAI (THA) 71-71-65.

208 Chan KIM (USA) 72-66-70, Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL (THA) 70-68-70.

209 KIM Gi-whan (SKOR) 70-71-68, LEE Sung (SKOR) 70-71-68, Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 68-71-70, Stephen LEWTON (ENG) 71-68-70, Blair WILSON (AUS) 73-66-70, Sam CYR (USA) 72-65-72.