Thai ace wrests control

TAGAYTAY – Thai Wisut Artjanawat overcame a double-bogey mishap on No. 9 with three birdies at the back as he carded a three-under par 69 to wrest a one-stroke lead over erstwhile co-leader Mars Pucay in the third round of the Mercedes-Benz Masters Philippines at the Tagaytay Midlands here yesterday.

It was a big recovery by the 26-year-old Artjanawat, who nearly put to waste a solid start of two birdies in the first eight holes when he dropped two shots on the par-4 ninth from an errant drive and a poor third shot that hit the greenside bunker. But he flashed some kind of resiliency, rolling in birdie putts on Nos. 11 and 16 and almost holing out with a chip-in eagle on the 18th.

That fiery windup of 33 gave him a 69 as Artjanawat whisked off Pucay’s challenge to find himself in a familiar spot – a solo leader with a 13-under 203 heading into the final 18 holes of the $50,000 championship.

Pucay, who showed up the field with a 65 in the first round before slowing down with a 69 Friday, also needed a sort of a rally to stay in contention for the top purse of $8,126 as he birdied Nos. 12 and the par-5 16th to salvage a 70 and a 12-under 204, one-shot behind Artjanawat.

“It’s going to be an exciting final day. I am looking forward to it. This is what it is all about,” said the 38-year-old Pucay in Filipino.

Tony Lascuna and Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat matched scoring outputs for the third straight day, this time with identical 69s as they continued to share third place at 205, just two shots adrift.

Angelo Que, who fell short of his title bid in last week’s kickoff leg in Indonesia, moved up to solo fifth with a 206 after a 68, ensuring a wide open race for top honors in this second stage of a 10-leg circuit put up by Mercedes Benz.

Carito Villaroman fired the day’s best score of 67 for joint sixth with Mohd Shaaban Hussein, who turned in a second straight 69, at 208. Juvic Pagunsan failed to gain headway in the tournament he was expected to win as he carded a 70 for a 209 in a tie with uncle Rey Pagunsan, who made a 71.

Although Artjanawat has been in such situation in his previous campaigns back home, the Thai bet hopes to finally bury the ghost of his past final round meltdowns by playing relaxed and staying in focus.

“I have had a chance to win tournaments many times in Thailand but have not done well on the last day. The problem has been that I have thought too much about winning. This week I am staying relaxed and not thinking so much,” said Artjanawat, who enjoyed a distinguished amateur career highlighted by claiming the individual and team titles in the 2005 Putra Cup.

While Artjanawat is hoping to learn and gain experience, Pucay boasts a wealth of experience, having won two titles on the ASEAN Tour, now the Mercedes Tour, last year before finishing on top of the Order of Merit.

The Filipino bet, however, will be hardpressed against Artjanawat and Aphibarnrat, 18, in the final pairing today while Que and Lascuna will have Hussein as their playing partner in the second to last group.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s Nakul Vichitryuthasastr broke the course record with a six-under-par 66 to gain a share of 12th place with Richard Sinfuego (70) and Malaysian Lim Eng Seng (68) at 211. Pucay’s earlier 65 failed to stand as a record since preferred lies were played in the first two days.