Chawalit shines at Orient Masters
XIAMEN, China (Agencies): Young Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand holds a three-shot lead over his golfing role model, compatriot Boonchu Ruangkit, going into the final round of the Omega Tour's US$200,000 Orient Masters yesterday.
Chawalit, aged only 24, fired a five-under-par 67 to lead the third leg of the 1998 Omega Tour on seven under par 209, ahead of joint second-placed Boonchu, who carded a two under 70, and Korea's Park No-seok, in with a 71.
South Africa's Craig Kamps and Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei share fourth spot on three under after returning rounds of 69 and 70 respectively.
"I drove the ball long and straight and played very well," said Chawalit after carding seven birdies and a pair of bogeys at Orient Golf and Country Club.
Chawalit is still in search of his maiden professional victory and like many of the Thai golfers he regularly listens to the advice of Boonchu - the only player to have notched up four victories on the Omega Tour.
This week Chawalit has been particularly attentive to Boonchu since they are sharing the same room.
"Boonchu has been teaching me to be more patient and not to chase so many birdies," added Chawalit.
"He has been stressing the importance of course management to me, which is something I have not been very good at in the past. And even though I know Boonchu will chasing me tomorrow, I will not be too nervous - I'm feeling very confident."
Boonchu stayed in sight of his young friend and rival thanks to a spectacular finish to his round, which saw him birdie three of last four holes.
On the 15th he hit a nine iron to 10 feet and holed out for birdie, while on the next he fired another nine iron to 18 feet to set up another birdie. And at the par four last he holed from eight feet for a birdie three.
"I would dearly love to see Chawalit win, but if doesn't then hopefully I'll be there to pick up the trophy instead," Boonchu said.
In New Orleans, left-hander Steve Flesch shot a four-under-par 68 to take a two-shot lead after the second round of the $1.7 million Freeport McDermott Classic golf tournament on Friday.
The 30-year-old Flesch leads fellow-Americans Duffy Waldorf and Japan's Joe Ozaki.
Ozaki, who held the second-round lead in last week's Players Championship but stumbled in the third round and eventually finished sharing 18th place, shot a 67 here on Friday to add to his first-round 69.
Flesch holed a number of lengthy putts, including a 20-footer for birdie at the par-five, sixth hole and a 25-footer at the par-four 13th.
Leading scores
Orient Masters 209 - Chawalit Plaphol (Tha) 71,71,67 212 - Boonchu Ruangkit (Tha) 73,69,70; Park No-seok (Kor)
70,71,71 213 - Craig Kamps (Rsa) 72,72,69; Lin Wen-tang (Tpe) 74,69,70; 214 - John Senden (Aus) 76,70,68; Kang Wook-soon (Kor) 74,68,72;
Shaun Michel (USA) 71,71,72 215 - Charlie Wi (Kor) 77,69,69; Lu Wen-teh (Tpe) 76,69,70 216 - Andrew Pitts (USA) 73,74,69; Lu Chien-soon (Tpe) 74,72,70;
Yuji Kurita (Jpn) 72,72,72; Brian Quinn (USA) 70,71,75 217 - Ramon Brobio (Phi) 74,71,72; Prayad Marksaeng (Tha)
72,73,72; Zhang Lian-wei (Chn) 74,69,74; Haruhito Yamamoto
(Jpn) 72,71,74; Danny Zarate (Phi) 71,71,75 218 - Lucas Parson (Aus) 76,73,69; Lin Keng-chi (Tpe) 71,76,71;
Leith Wastle (Aus) 74,72,72; Thaworn Wiratchant (Tha)
74,71,73; Nam Young-woo (Kor) 72,72,74; Wang Ter-chang
(Tpe) 74,69,75
Freeport McDermott Classic (U.S. nationality unless stated): 134 - Steve Flesch 66,68 136 - Joe Ozaki (Jpn) 69,67; Duffy Waldorf 67,69 137 - Mark Wiebe 69,68; Lee Westwood (Gbr) 69,68; Jim Carter
68,69; Jeff Gallagher 68,69 138 - Steve Lowery 72,66; Phil Tataurangi (Nzl) 71,67; Len
Mattiace 71,67; P.H. Horgan 70,68 139 - Ronnie Black 72,67; Harrison Frazer 70,69; Clark Dennis
69,70; Trevor Dodds (Rsa) 67,72; Jay Delsing 66,73; Glen
Day 64,75 140 - Ian Woosnam (Gbr) 70,70 141 - Jose Maria Olazabal (Spa) 72,69; Steve Elkington (Aus)
71,70 142 - Jesper Parnevik (Swe) 71,71; Niclas Fasth (Swe) 67,75