Lee Westwood of England carded a disappointing one over par 73 in the third round at Thailand tour to slip back to 19 under for the tournament.
The world no. 3 reduced to 4 shots his lead over South African Charl Schwartzel leading the chasing pack with a second successive 66.
Westwood had made the first 60 of his career on day one and then followed it up with a similarly impressive 64 yesterday, but the Worksop golfer found it much tougher going today.
Three shots behind Schwartzel in third place on the leaderboard was American Michael Thompson after his 69, with Dutchman Guido Van der Valk two shots further back on 10 under.
England’s Simon Dyson is fifth on nine under while former Asian Tour number one Jyoti Randhawa of India is sixth on eight under following his round of 65.
Westwood said, “After a 60 and 64, you’re probably going to be disappointed with the third round but like I said, a four-shot lead into the last round is a good position to be in. It drains you (to be leading) but it’s a better position to be leading obviously other than to chase.”
Thailand Golf Championship – Round 3
Course par: 72
LIVE SCORING
1 Lee WESTWOOD 60 64 73 -19 (197)
2 Charl SCHWARTZEL 69 66 66 -15 (201)
3 Michael THOMPSON 69 66 69 -12 (204)
4 Guido VAN DER VALK 71 69 66 -10 (206)
5 Simon DYSON 69 70 68 -9 (207)
6 Jyoti RANDHAWA 73 70 65 -8 (208)
7 Chawalit PLAPHOL 73 71 65 -7 (209)
7 Prom MEESAWAT 72 68 69 -7 (209)
7 Rikard KARLBERG 72 71 66 -7 (209)
7 Daisuke MARUYAMA 73 68 68 -7 (209)
