Big-hitting Aussie Scott Hend already has one hand on the trophy in taking a two-shot lead into the final round of the True Thailand Classic Presented by Chang after battling to a two under par 70 in windy conditions at Black Mountain Golf Club.
On a day when scoring proved more difficult in Hua Hin due to the breeze, the Australian was level par for the day and in a tie for the lead with Peter Uihlein as he stood on the 15th tee.
But two birdies in his final four holes moved Hend to 14 under and into pole position to claim a second European Tour title on Sunday.
Aussie Scott Hend has one hand on the trophy and leading by two shots with a round to play in the True Thai Classic. (Photo – Thos Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
The Queensland-born Hend held the 54-hole lead in the inaugural staging of this event last year before countryman Andrew Dodt overturned a four-shot deficit to claim victory, and will face the challenge of a strong chasing pack once again on day four.
“It’s just another round of golf for me tomorrow,” he said. “It’s a long season.
“We practise for a result, we practise to try and get a win, we try to get ourselves in this position to have a win. If you’re not in this position, you get upset with yourself.
“When you’re actually here, you’ve got to try to enjoy it and embrace it. It’s not very often you get a chance to lead a tournament on a Saturday night, let alone on a Sunday – Scott Hend
“It was a good grind. Out of ten, I felt like two out of ten, felt really tired, no energy.
“I knew it was going to be a tough day, very windy, so I’m very pleased.”
American Uihlein, who is battling a wrist injury, carded a 69 to emerge as the nearest challenger and is also in the hunt for a second title off the back of two top tens.
Thomas Pieters mastered the conditions in a 66 to move to 11 under alongside Swede Pelle Edberg, who finished birdie-birdie to get himself back into contention on the course where he practises in the winter.
Frenchman Benjamin Hebert, American David Lipsky and South African Shaun Norris were then at ten under, a shot clear of Thai pair Prom Meesawat and Panuphol Pittayarat, and Scot Simon Yates.
Overnight leaders Hend and Edberg could not be separated as they turned in level par and Uihlein made a third birdie of the day on the ninth to get himself into the leading group, shortly before Pieters parred the last to sign for a second consecutive 66.
- Thanks to www.europeantour.com
