Peerless Schwartzel turns the screw in Thailand
Charl Schwartzel tightened his grip on the Thailand Golf Championship
on Saturday, taking a five-shot lead into the final day as he edged
closer to ending a wretched 20-months without a win.
Schwartzel, who has not tasted victory since the US Masters in 2011,
kept the chasing pack at arms-length with a controlled four under 68 for
the day giving him 18 under overall at the Asian Tour event.
While it was not as polished as his flawless matching 65s in the
opening two rounds, the South African enters Sunday confident of a
pillar-to-post victory and the chance to avenge his second place last
year to Lee Westwood.
"I feel comfortable, I won't change (my approach) I will just keep
playing and see where it leads to... it's a game of patience and if it's
my time, it's my time," said Schwartzel, who was runner-up at the event
last year. Sweden's Daniel Chopra is in second at 13 under overall,
after a three under 69, while home favourite Thitiphun Chuayprakong
gamely notched five birdies to offset four bogeys and goes into the
final day finish 12 under.
The 20-year old needs to maintain his form while hoping for a wobble
from Schwartzel and Chopra who sits a shot ahead of him.
"There's a bit of pressure playing with Charl Schwartzel, but today I
coped with it," a smiling Thitiphun told reporters. "I was a little
nervous at the first tee, but after I hit the ball the nerves were all
gone." Australian Scott Hend, who is 12th on the Asian Tour's Order of
Merit, is poised in fourth on nine-under for any wobbles by the leading
trio. Chopra, who has won twice on the PGA tour in a chequered career,
vowed to push Schwartzel all the way on Sunday.
AFP |