Pagunsan fires 69, settles for 22nd

MANILA, Philippines - Juvic Pagunsan fired another under-par score of 69 but couldn’t match the searing charges of the top guns, settling for 22nd after the penultimate round of the Thailand Golf Championship at the Amata Spring Country Club course in Chonburi, Thailand yesterday.

Two other Filipinos in Antonio Lascuña and Angelo Que were even way behind following rounds of 74-214 and 72-215, respectively, in the tourney now paced by rising talent Clement Sordet.

The Frenchman emerged as the surprise package when he stormed his way to the top with a third round nine-under-par 63.

Playing on a sponsor’s invitation, the 23-year-old Sordet stuck to his patient game plan before compiling a three-day total of 16-under-par 200 for a two-shot lead over Wales’ Jamie Donaldson, who had led the opening two rounds at the US$1 million Asian Tour event.

Westwood remains on target for his Thailand Golf Championship treble as he made his move with a 64 to take third place with Korea’s Byeonghun An a further shot back in fourth place on 204 total.

Having only joined the play-for-pay ranks in July this year, Sordet clinched his first victory in just his fourth start as a professional in Northern Ireland the following month.

The Frenchman is continuing to make his mark abroad by eclipsing the marquee names at the Thai showpiece which he fears may now give him a sleepless night.

“Hopefully I can sleep well tonight. I’ll try not take a nap this afternoon so I can sleep well tonight.

“It’s pretty much my dream to play with the top players in the field. I’ll do that tomorrow and hopefully I’ll enjoy it and just play my own game,” said Sordet.

Starting the day in eighth place, Sordet sprinted towards the turn in 31 but it was his eagle-three and birdie on 15 and 17, respectively, which gave him the most satisfaction.

“The eagle was a highlight as I made a bogey there on the first day and also the birdie on 17. It was sweet revenge after I made a stupid triple there yesterday,” said Sordet.

Donaldson stumbled with an opening bogey but did enough to hold onto his lead at the turn after making three birdies on holes two, five and seven.

However, his fortunes changed after a double-bogey six on 12.

“I played nicely through quite a few holes, getting my momentum swinging back my way. I was cruising until 12, which was a killer. When I got onto the tee, the shot just wasn’t there. I made a double and suddenly I went from feeling great, to ‘Hang on a minute. Where’s this going?’” said Donaldson.

The Welshman managed to steady the ship coming home and although he had to relinquish the lead he had held over the last two days, Donaldson knows the fight is far from over.