Thailand’s Tirawat Kaewsiribandit and Phachara Khongwatmai braved the heavy rains by snatching the third round clubhouse lead at the weather-hit SMBC Singapore Open on Saturday.
Close to three and a half-hour of play was lost due to lightning activities and thunderstorms in the afternoon.
When play finally got underway again at 5.30pm, it was the 27-year-old Tirawat, who stormed to the top by returning to fire two birdies in his remaining three holes for a five-under-par 66.
Phachara also had a closing birdie to thank for lifting him to the top of the leaderboard after he posted a 67 for a three-day total of eight-under-par 205 at the Sentosa Golf Club.
Australia’s Adam Scott, a three-time Singapore Open winner, could meanwhile overtake the Thai duo when he resumes his third round at 7.30am on Sunday. The world number seven, together with second round leader Seungsu Han of the United States, is at eight-under-par through 13 holes.
Singapore’s Quincy Quek remained in contention to become the first Singaporean to win his National Open as he is within two shots of the leaders at the US$1 million event that is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation.
Quek, together with Philippines’ Juvic Pagunsan is at six-under with four holes to play and is among the 32 players who have yet to complete their third round.
