Karachi, Pakistan, October 13: Namchok Tantipokhakul is in a prime form to win his maiden Asian Tour title after carding a five-under-par 67 to go one shot clear of the field at the UMA CNS Open Golf Championship on Saturday.

After a lukewarm start, the 31-year-old Namchok turned on the afterburners on his inward nine as he made an eagle at the 11th followed by three consecutive birdies before signing for a 12-under-par 204 total at the Karachi Golf Club.

Compatriot Jakraphan Premsirigorn is in lone second place after signing for a 68. He traded five birdies against a lone bogey on the challenging par-four ninth. The Qualifying School graduate feels that he has fully recovered from a wrist injury that has inhibited his progress this year and he’ll be aiming to win this US$300,000 event.

Tirawat Kaewsiribandit of Thailand

Like Namchok, Tirawat Kaewsiribandit of Thailand seized his chances on his back nine. He made four consecutive birdies from holes 11 to 14 which elevated his confidence immensely. He made another birdie on 18th and eventually carded a 67 to finish the day in third place.

Pawin Inghapradit and Suradit Yongcharoenchai carded 71 and 72 respectively to grab a share of fourth place, consolidating Thailand’s dominance at the UMA CNS Open Golf Championship.

Settee Prakongvech (69) and Pakistan’s Muhammad Munir (72) are a shot further behind in tied-sixth.

Did you know:

• Namchok Tantipokhakul enjoyed his best season on the Asian Tour in 2013. He posted two top-10s and was placed 33rd on the Order of Merit with a US$109,725 total.
• He has been prolific on the Asian Development Tour. Out of 21 events he played in, Namchok posted seven top-10s including two victories.
• Namchok came closest to winning an Asian Tour title at the 2010 Black Mountain Masters, where he finished second.
• Jakraphan Premsirigorn finally secured his Asian Tour card for the first time this year in his fifth attempt at the Qualifying School. He had missed out in his previous attempts in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.
• He injured his wrist right after earning his card, which explains his absence from tournaments earlier in the year.
• Tirawat Kaewsiribandit enjoyed a successful 2017 season, as he earned US$118,481 and was placed a career-high 36th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit
• He was placed second at the 2017 Indonesia Open, his highest finish on the Asian Tour so far.
• Suradit Yongcharoenchai’s nickname is “Art”.
• He posted three top-10s in 2017 and was placed 43rd on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, securing his Tour card for this year.
• Pawin Inghapradit won the 2015 Singha Panasonic Hua Hin Open, a tournament on the ASEAN PGA Tour, by beating his more illustrious countrymen Prayad Marksaeng and Prom Meesawat in a play-off.

Namchok Tantipokhakul (Tha) – third round 67 (-5), total 204 (-12)

The highlights of my round happened on my back nine for sure. On 11th, I drove to the left of the fairway followed by a lucky hybrid shot that landed within a few feet of the hole. On the 12th and 13th, I sunk birdies from quite a distance on the green. Finally on 14th, I hit a nice approach and putted in from about three to four feet.

For sure, getting those good holes in felt really good. I’m going to play using the same strategy tomorrow as it has worked for me so far, which is to focus on finding the greens. I have continued to miss the fairways in the third round, but if I can find the greens then it’ll be alright.

Jakraphan Premsirigorn (Tha) – third round 68 (-4), total 205 (-11)

I am feeling really excited going into tomorrow’s round. Nobody knows what will happen, but for sure, I’ll focus on playing my game and hope that things will go my way.

And after three good rounds, it seems that my wrist has recovered fully. The tough par-four 15th was quite satisfying. I made a par-save which was important for me to keep pace with Namchok (the leader).

Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (Tha) – third round 67 (-5), total 207 (-9)

I didn’t hit too many fairways today, so I figured that I will settle for pars. But when I made the turn and the first birdie came in at the 11th, I became more confident and I made three more birdies. In particular, my putting was pretty good on the back nine. Ending with a birdie on 18th is great as well.

I’m heading into tomorrow feeling very optimistic about my chances. I’ll be aiming to hit fairways, greens and make good putts. Most definitely, I’ll try to win this tournament.

Pawin Inghapradit (Tha) – third round 71 (-1), total 209 (-7)

I can’t find seem to find the fairways today. I hit none in my first nine. Hence, it was difficult for me to make birdie chances. Over the back nine, I changed my game plan and aimed for pars, as I didn’t felt steady today.

It is still a good position going into Sunday. Come tomorrow, I’ll continue to concentrate and focus on my game. Hopefully, I will achieve my objective of winning the tournament.

Suradit Yongcharoenchai (Tha) – third round 72 (even-par), total 209 (-7)

I didn’t putt too well today. Made a bogey on the sixth but bounced back with a birdie. Unfortunately, I made another bogey on the following hole. I thought I’ve turned my day around when I made birdies on the 10th, 11th and 13th but I was unlucky on 15th, where I double bogeyed.

There, I thought I hit a good drive but it took an unfortunate bounce into the trees. The ball then went into the water and I ended up with a double bogey.

I feel that I’m in a decent position going into Sunday.

Settee Prakongvech (Tha) – Third round 69 (-3), total 210 (-6)

I thought played well today. Even though I didn’t drive very well, my putting saved my round. I missed a short, three-feet putt on the fourth hole, which was quite disappointing. But I made a long putt for birdie from the edge on the eight hole, and that was satisfying.

Overall, the game is good. I didn’t hit good shots but I have a good game plan, which resulted in a good score.

Scores after round 3 of the UMA CNS Open Golf Championship being played at the par 72, 7032 Yards Karachi GC course (am – denotes amateur):
204 – Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA) 67-70-67.
205 – Jakraphan PREMSIRIGORN (THA) 69-68-68.
207 – Tirawat KAEWSIRIBANDIT (THA) 71-69-67.
209 – Pawin INGKHAPRADIT (THA) 68-70-71, Suradit YONGCHAROENCHAI (THA) 69-68-72.
210 – Settee PRAKONGVECH (THA) 72-69-69, Muhammad MUNIR (PAK) 69-69-72.
211 – Muhammad NAEEM (PAK) 71-72-68, James Ryan LAM (PHI) 68-73-70, Suttijet KOORATANAPISAN (THA) 71-70-70, Siddikur RAHMAN (BAN) 71-70-70, Mitchell SLORACH (SIN) 72-69-70.
212 – Paul HARRIS (USA) 73-72-67, Matt KILLEN (ENG) 70-74-68, Matloob AHMED (PAK) 72-70-70, Muhammad SHABBIR (PAK) 68-73-71.