Hua Hin, Thailand, December 29: Thailand’s Poom Pattaropong dream run continued as he signed for a six-under-par 65 to stand on the brink of securing his playing rights for the 2019 season at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage on Saturday.

The fourth round was also lit up by Thailand’s Naras Luangphetcharaporn, who was staring at another elimination from Qualifying School until his record-breaking 59 lifted him to a share of 36th place.

Despite going through a marathon week which saw 242 players at the start of the final stage vying to finish inside the top-35 and ties through five rounds, Poom was not feeling the effects of any fatigue. Instead, he is raring to get the job done as he leads the class with his four-day total of 20-under-par 264.

Zach Murray of Australia

Australia’s Zach Murray is also ready to add another feather to his cap in his fledgling professional career as he is among the leading 70 players and ties to have made it into the all-important ultimate round on Sunday.

The 21-year-old Australian only turned professional last month but is already showing an early potential of his prolific form which has led him to be ranked as high as 19th on the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul is closer to earning his card for the first time in five attempts at Qualifying School as he blazed his way around the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club with rounds of 69, 68, 67 and 67 to tie with China’s Xiao Bowen in seventh place.

Unheralded Veer Ahlawat of India is also ready to join his more illustrious compatriots on the Asian Tour after posting a 68 which saw him share 18th place with Korea’s Kisang Lee.

Did you know?

• Poom Pattaropong graduated from James Madison University in the United States last December. He plied his trade on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) since missing the mark at the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January.
• He enjoyed a particular good run of form from August to October, notching four top-fives in six starts on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).
• Poom was in the seven play-off hole duel against Miguel Carballo at the ADT Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in August. He eventually finished tied-second behind Carballo.
• He eventually finished in 15th on the 2018 ADT Order of Merit.
• Zach Murray won the Nexus Risk TSA Group WA Open (an event on the PGA Tour of Australasia) as an amateur golfer.
• He made his professional debut at the Australian Open in November 2018.
• Murray was ranked as high as 19th on the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
• Gunn Charoenkul’s last appearance at the Qualifying School was in 2017. He did not progress after two rounds.
• Gunn’s finest performance at a tournament on the Asian Tour so far was at the 2016 Queen’s Cup, where he finished in second place.
• He finished a career-high 32nd on the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2012. With that, he earned full playing rights on Tour the following season.
• Clyde Mondilla earned a top-10 finish once on the Asian Tour, at the 2014 Solaire Open
• He last played at the 2016 Qualifying School. However, he was eliminated after two rounds in the Final Stage.
• The Filipino has notched five top-10s in 14 starts on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) from 2012 to 2016.

Players’ Quotes

Poom Pattaropong (Tha)- Fourth round 65 (-6), Total 264 (-20)

I just have to keep calm and continue to have fun. If I have to pick one thing solid about my game this week, it would have to be my putting. I’m feeling fine, not tired and the weather’s great. I just have been drinking a lot of water to stay hydrated. It would the world to me if I can get my Tour card as I did not expect to play this well at all. I didn’t have a goal and this is well beyond my expectations.

Zach Murray (Aus) – Fourth round 67 (-4), Total 199 (-14)

I never really thought about earning an Asian Tour card, to be honest. I was just trying to score as many birdies as I can. I’m playing well, and I’m going to get a good rest before the final round tomorrow.

Things can change in the blink of an eye in the professional game, so you just got to make the most of it while you can. I think my attitude towards golf at the moment is pretty relaxed. I’m enjoying my game and not thinking about too much else. I’m glad to be fit, healthy and playing golf.

Gunn Charoenkul (Tha) Fourth round 67 (-4), Total 271 (-13)

It has been a while coming back to play on the Asian Tour and I want to get back on Tour again. I went to a lot of qualifying schools this year including Japan and lots of Monday qualifiers. I sort of get the feel of the kind of emotions and attitude I should have when playing Q school now. I struggled a lot at Qualifying School on the Asian Tour. I’ve never made it into the top-35 before as I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself. I’ve learned how to manage myself better over the years. It was tough playing in China and Japan as there’s a lot of good players and every course is different. I got a few wins in China, but I didn’t concentrate on playing there the whole year. So, I didn’t get into the top-five. I’ve learnt I can improve myself a lot better mentally. I used to think I was not as good as the others out here and I didn’t perform to my full potential. But I’ve learnt a lot about myself over the years and hopefully, I can do it tomorrow.

Clyde Mondilla (Phi) Fourth round 68 (-3), Total 272 (-12)

It has been a very long week and I look forward to getting the job done tomorrow. I missed Christmas back home, but I guess these are the sacrifices you have to make if you want to become a successful professional golfer. My putting has been very sharp lately and hopefully I can get all the putts rolling into the hole tomorrow.

Veer Ahlawat (Ind) Fourth round 68 (-3), Total, 273 (-11)

I’m hitting it well and reading my putts right. I’m confident heading into the final round of Qualifying School.  This is my third attempt at Qualifying School. I’ll be looking to apply my experience and hopefully, earn a Tour card for the upcoming season. I turned professional three years ago. I have a few second-placed finishes on the PGTI (Professional Golf Tour of India), as well as a good number of top-10s.

Naras Luangphetcharaporn (Tha) Fourth round 59 (-12), Total 276 (-8)

I am very happy, as it is the lowest score recorded in my life. More importantly, the 59 helped me progress to Sunday. I shot a 78 in round three and I thought I have no chance to make the cut. What worked for me today was my consistency. I managed to get the same tempo on every shot.

I started golf since I was 14. Now, I’m 25 and I’m turning 26 next month. I turned professional in 2014. I haven’t won any tournament yet and this is my second time at the Qualifying School. The last time in 2016, I didn’t progress to the Final Stage.