Sikhwan Kim; and (Inset) Viraj Madappa. Pics: Asian Tour
Pattaya, Thailand, April 15: Viraj Madappa had five birdies against one bogey for a fine third round as he was placed T-12 with one more round to go in the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge. Madappa, Tied-second on the first day, had dropped to T-15 after second. Madappa collected nine points and took his tally to 28.
American Sihwan Kim, who logged 22 points in the first round, but lost two points on a disappointing second day, was back in full flow in the third. Kim was in terrific form with 11 birdies and no bogeys for 22 points, which in conventional scoring would have translated to 11-under 61 at Siam Country Club’s Waterside Course. His first round 22 points worked to 10-under 62 and he had a 76 in the second round.
The other Indians Rashid Khan (21 points) had five birdies against three bogeys in the third round and was T-36, while Veer Ahlawat (21 points) with an eagle and three birdies against one bogey was also T-36.
Shiv Kapur with five birdies against two bogeys and a double added five more points to get to 16 and was T-56.
The lone Indian woman in the fray, Diksha Dagar had three birdies against two bogeys and she is T-60 with a total of 15 points. Tvesa Malik had missed the cut.
Overnight leader Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen, her compatriot Natipong Srithong and Maja Stark from Sweden are second with 34 points, while Budsabakorn Sukapan from Thailand is fifth with 33.
The innovative new US$750,000 tournament is being jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Ladies European Tour (LET).
Sihwan Kim won the International Series Thailand at the beginning of March, which was the first win of his 10-year professional career.
“I haven’t had a 10 under and 11 under in the same event before, that being said, it’s all about putting. I think I have been reading the lines a lot better than last week, last week I could not read them at all, but I think I am getting used to them,” said Kim.
Wannasaen eagled the par-five 18th to register five points and leap up the leader board at the very end after a tough day on the course which saw her shoot 71.
Rising star Stark, who won three times last year in her rookie season including two LET titles, impressed again today finishing strongly by making birdie on 17 and 18.
