Thailand: Ace Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri fired four-under 68 to enjoy a slender one-shot lead after the third round of the 500,000 dollar King’s Cup at the par-72 Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club here on Saturday.
Lahiri, who led from the opening day, was surprised after returning to find himself back atop the leaderboard at the Asian Tour event.
The 27-year-old, who took the lead over Thaworn Wiratchant, made an eagle on the 18th hole and carded four birdies on the fourth, 11th, 12th, 15th against two bogeys on the fifth and 13th.
“I’m actually surprised to find myself in the lead as I didn’t play well today especially on the front-nine. It was quite a struggle there. It felt like every step I took, I took two steps back again,” said Lahiri, who has a three-day total of 16-under-par 200.
“I knew Thaworn was off to a hot start and I was struggling on the front-nine. I was just trying to catch up and stay ahead. So it was really nice to finish off with an eagle as I really needed that boost,” added he.
Thaworn, a 17-time Asian Tour winner, is ready to deny Lahiri’s title ambitions as he carded a flawless 66 to take second place while Australia’s Andrew Dodt gatecrashed the home party by sharing third place with Sutijet Kooratanapisan, Panuphol Pittayarat and Jakraphan Premsirigorn.