Thai golfers dominate individual, team events

INCHEON, South Korea – Thailand’s Sukapan Budsabakom continued her amazing mastery of the undulating greens of the Dream Park Country Club and fired another sparkling four-under 68 to remain at the helm after three rounds of the women’s event of the Asian Games golf competitions yesterday.

Sukapan had a 34-34 over the par-72 course in a round that started in the morning mist for a three-round total of 13-under 203 and remained on top anew over Park Gyeol of Korea (205) and compatriot Sangchan Supamas (206).

Mia Legaspi plucked a 71 for eighth with 210, leading US Juniors golf champion Princess Superal (214) and Pauline del Rosario (226).

In team play, the Philippines slid farther back at fifth with 143-427. Superal scored 72 and Del Rosario didn’t count with a 75.

Thailand had a 406 for the lead, seven shots in front of Koree (413) and 19 ahead of Japan (425).

In men’s golf, Chinese Taipei fired 205 for the day from the 65 of Chang Tsung, 69 of Wang Wei Lun and 71 of Kao Teng for a three-round total of 613, four shots in front of Korea (617) and 14 ahead of Thailand (627). The Philippines remained at ninth with a slim chance to gain a medal with a three-day aggregate of 657, 44 shots off the pace and 30 behind third-placed Thailand (627).

Pan fired a day best 65 to grab the lead with a 16-under par 200, leading Koreans Youm Heung (201) and Kim Namhun (205).

Rupert Zaragosa was 29th (217, 17 shots adrift), while Justin Rapahael Quiban was 33rd (220), Kristoffer Arevalo 43rd (226) and Raymart Tolentino 44th (227).