Thailand's Kwanchai Tannin is one round away from recording the biggest victory of his fledgling career by maintaining a four shot lead in the US$60,000 Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia after the third round.
He shot a three-under-par 69 at Emeralda Golf and Country Club in conditions of extreme heat and humidity in an impressive tournament total of 12-under-par 204, a release reported.
His compatriot Wisut Artjanawat, who started the day sharing the lead, shot a 73 to tie for second with Indonesian Johannes Dermawan producing one of the performances of the season on the Mercedes-Benz Tour. Playing in the final group with the two Thais, the general manager of the Emeralda returned a 69.
Kwanchai, aged 23, can do little wrong at the moment. He was third in the Hero Honda Indian Open last week on the Asian Tour and says constant hard work on his swing has led to his inspired form.
"I am very happy. I am hitting the ball really well and my iron play is so good. I have made some small swing changes. It is a bit of secret but one thing I am doing is keeping my right elbow tucked in and often practice with a towel or glove under my right armpit," said Kwanchai.
The Thai golfer, whose mother is the sister of Thai star golfer Prayad Marksaeng, got off to a bad start on the first when he hit his second shot with a seven wood into water and then three putted for a double bogey seven.
Six birdies helped put him in control including birdies on 17 and 18. He hit his approach with an eight iron to a foot on the last to emphatically state he is the man to beat.
He has won two titles on the Thai domestic tour but victory tomorrow would be his most significant win.
Wisut, who won twice on Tour last year and was Player of the Year, had a poor day by his standards. He double bogeyed the 10th after a big hook out of bounds from the tee and could not keep pace with Kwanchai.
Dermawan made the turn in one under par and then had everyone talking when he made birdie on 12, 14 and 17. On the par five 17th he missed a 12 footer for an eagle. A bogey on the last hole did not stop the locals from cheering him on.
Malaysia's Danny Chia is eighth behind the leader after shooting a 70. A triple bogey eight on the par five 12th, where he went out of bounds twice with his second, proved costly.
The leader board features an impressive number of up and coming players from Southeast Asia.
Indonesia's Andik Mauluddin and Quincy Quek from Singapore are three under after firing rounds of 71.
Third round
204 - Kwanchai Tannin (Tha) 66-69-69
208 - Johannes Dermawan (Ina) 72-67-69, Wisut Artjanawat (Tha) 68-67-73
211 - Ronnachai Jamnong (Tha) 69-74-68
212 - Ferdie Aunzo (Phi) 73-70-69, Danny Chia (Mas) 72-70-70, Felix Casas (Phi) 73-68-71
213 - Andik Mauluddin (Ina)-71-71-71, Quincy Quek (Sin) 69-73-71, Gene Bondoc (Phi) 69-71-73
