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5th Boonchu Ruangkit Championship

Jazz holds one-shot lead into final round at Boonchu Ruangkit Championship

BY N ON January Sat, 2019 19:38

Jazz Janewattananond took a one-shot lead into the final round after making a third round 5-under-66 at the 4-million baht Boonchu Ruangkit Championship on Saturday.

 

Seeking his third win on the All Thailand Golf Tour, Jazz was on 20-under-par 193, one shot ahead of compatriot Itthipat Buranatanyarat (64X and overnight leader Steve Lewton of England (68) at the event, co-sanctioned by Asian Development Tour.

 

The 23-year-old Jazz lost in a play-off in 2016 and missed out yet again the year after with a bogey on his last hole to settle for tied-third. With his game in shape, he remains optimistic but refuses to get ahead of himself.

 

“I don’t have much pressure going into tomorrow. It’s good that my game is in good shape. I’m not thinking about winning and I am just taking this as a sign that I am back and playing good golf again,” added Jazz.

 

His previous ATGT wins came at the Singha Classic 2017 and All Thailand Golf Championship 2013.

 

Countryman Itthipat, who made the fourth ace in his career in the second round, also made a late charge with four birdies and one eagle on his back nine.

 

“I didn’t start too well. I was missing a lot of putts and I three-putted hole five. But hole eight turned things around for me. I almost hit it on the green from the tee box and tapped in for birdie,” said the 25-year-old.

The Thai made the mark at Asian Tour Qualifying School this year after finishing in third position. He will go into the final round with the same focused mindset that helped put him in contention today.

“On the back nine, I really got more focused with my shots. I stayed patient and focused on my own game instead of on the leader board. I am excited for tomorrow and will just keep playing my own game,” added Itthipat.

 

Lewton, who held a one-shot lead going into the third round, traded four birdies against one bogey after struggling with a cold putter.

 

“It was a pretty frustrating day. I hit it very good and just didn’t make enough putts. I played pretty steady all day. All my birdies were inside six-feet but I just couldn’t hole anything to get any momentum going,” added the one-time Asian Tour winner.

 

The Englishman stays positive heading into the final round and hopes to channel the same mindset he had when he carded his personal-best score of 62 in round two.

“Going into the final round I will just try and play like the first two rounds. I just want to have fun and make plenty of birdies tomorrow,” added Lewton.

 

American Johannes Veerman (64) and South Africa’s Mathiam Keyser (65) share tied-fouth on 197. Defending Champion Namchok Tantipokhakul signed for a 69 to sit in tied-20th on a 202 total.

 

The Boonchu Ruangkit Championship is celebrating its fifth edition and the winner will take home 700,000 baht and he is projected to earn 10 Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.

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