Brazilian has slim lead over Wood in Thailand Open
Lucas Lee from Brazil fired a 7-under 65 for an aggregate 19-under 197 to lead defending champion Chris Wood of England and Chinese young-gun Mu Hu by one stroke in the US$1 million Thailand Open yesterday.
For the third day at the Thana City Golf Sports Club, several players took turns to take the top position on the leaderboard, including Thai veteran Prayad Marksaeng, who eventually had to settle for joint sixth, two strokes off the lead.
But it was the little-known Lee, born in Sao Paulo to Korean parents, who showed no signs of excitement playing alongside three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington and Wood, firing eight birdies and just one bogey on the 11th hole. He also had a 65 on the first day.
"After the first hole, you try to forget who they are and try to beat them like any other guys, but they do hit the ball very well. It was a good learning experience," said the 25-year-old, who is looking for his first professional breakthrough.
"It's been a while the last time I was in contention in a [four-round] tournament was back in college. I've won a couple of small one-day tournaments, but nothing as big as this. I'm just going to try and be as positive as possible while also keeping it simple," added Lee, now a California-resident who is also the cousin of Angela Park, the 2007 LPGA rookie of the year.
A stroke adrift at tied second was 25-year-old Wood from Bristol, England. Last year's winner fired a bogey-free 65 for a total 18-under 198.
"Really pleased with my efforts so far. I came here to put in a good defence and I am delighted. Obviously it was a tough journey to get here and I had no practice round, so it has been great to play well," said the Briton who anticipates a mid-60 final round to defend his crown.
Overnight leader Scott Strange of Australia shot a 68 for 17-under 199 for tied fourth along with Simon Yates of Scotland who had an error free 64.
A stroke behind at sixth was local hope Prayad, who was briefly in the lead after firing five straight birdies before bogeying on the sixth hole which he considers his least favourite. He eagled on the 10th, followed by a bogey on the 13th and birdies on the 14th and 16th to finish with a 65 and a total 16-under 200.
"I started with five birdies but I knew I would bogey on the sixth hole, which has been my bugbear for the last two days.
But seven-under was not bad after all," added the runner-up in 2011, who expects a daunting challenge on the road to win the title.
"The leaders are not the kind of players who would come up short on the final day, especially on this course. Even if it is just two strokes, it will be difficult as the Europeans have the edge with their long drives," said Prayad, who shared sixth place with Australian Terry Pilkadaris.
Japan's Katsumasa Miyazato, the elder brother of former LPGA Thailand winner Al Miyazato of Japan, equalled the course record of 63, also achieved on Friday by Thanyakorn Krongpha. Miyazato was at joint 11th with a 202, a shot ahead of Thanyakorn, 70, and Wisut Artjanawat, 66.
Irish Padraig Harrington had his worst round of the week, carding a 75 for a total 208, which saw him plummet to joint 46th place.
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/03/17/lee-on-threshold-of-a-breakthrough/
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