![\"Natthapong](\"images\/golf\/golf_junior.jpg\")
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand: Local prospect Natthapong Niyomchon fired a sparkling eight-under-par 63 to grab a one-shot lead in the penultimate round of the Asian Development Tour’s (ADT) season-ending Boonchu Ruangkit Championship on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The unheralded Thai, who is chasing for a maiden win on the region’s burgeoning Tour, sank two birdies on second and fifth before going on a birdie blitz with six in a row after the turn.<\/p>\n
His only blemish of the day came after a three-putt on 17 but he swiftly recovered with a birdie on the last to lead on an 18-under-par 195 total at the Rancho Charnvee Resort and Country Club, located at the outskirts of Bangkok.<\/p>\n
Young Thai Phachara Khongwatmai matched Natthapong’s efforts of a 63 to take second place while countrymen Chinnarat Phadungsil (65), Danthai Boonma (68) and overnight leader Rattanon Wannasrichan (70) shared third on 197 at the 3,000,000 Baht (approx. US$83,000) ADT event.<\/p>\n
Reigning ADT Order of Merit champion Pavit Tangkamolprasert carded a 66 to settle three shots off the pace in sixth place with veteran Thongchai Jaidee, who returned with a 68, in what is the final stop of the ADT 2015 season.<\/p>\n
Natthapong, who ended a 10-year wait for his first career title when he won in Malaysia two months ago, was delighted to put himself in prime position again for a second professional victory and a first on home soil.<\/p>\n
“My driver and iron shots were perfect. I gave myself a lot of chances out there. I made a key putt for birdie from five-feet on second which got my game going. That was the turning point for me today,” said the 27-year-old Thai.<\/p>\n
“I made only one mistake on 17 where I three-putted for bogey but I am happy I gained it back with a birdie on 18. Overall, I played really well. My game went very smoothly. Hopefully I can perform well again tomorrow,” added Natthapong.<\/p>\n
Teen titan Phachara, who started the day with a six-shot deficit, stormed home with a birdie-eagle finish to haul himself back into contention.<\/p>\n
“I was really thrilled when I chipped in for my second eagle of the day on the last! The greens are quite firm today but my game was solid. I am glad to give myself a chance to fight for another win on the ADT tomorrow. I had great fun today,” said the 16-year-old Phachara.<\/p>\n
Phachara first broke into prominence when he claimed his maiden ADT win earlier in May and became the youngest winner on the burgeoning Tour which was inaugurated in 2010 as a gateway to the premier Asian Tour.<\/p>\n
He hogged the limelight again when he earned a spot in The Open 2016 after finishing in sixth place at the Asian Tour’s Thailand Golf Championship a fortnight ago.<\/p>\n
With the Olympic Games looming in 2016 where golf will be reintroduced as a medal sport, players in the region could earn their spots in Rio de Janeiro by earning OWGR points through the Asian Tour and ADT.<\/p>\n
The ADT is celebrating its sixth season where it has grown immensely from five events in the first year in 2010 to a record 28 tournaments in 2015.<\/p>\n
For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com<\/p>\n
Leading third round scores The unheralded Thai, who is chasing for a maiden win on the region’s burgeoning Tour, sank two birdies on second and fifth before going on a birdie blitz with six in a row after the turn.<\/p>\n His only blemish of the day came after a three-putt on 17 but he swiftly recovered with a birdie on the last to lead on an 18-under-par 195 total at the Rancho Charnvee Resort and Country Club, located at the outskirts of Bangkok.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[12669,1951,13326,13327,13020],"class_list":["post-24870","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-world-golf-news","tag-boonchu-ruangkit-championship","tag-chinnarat-phadungsil","tag-international-golf-news","tag-nakhon-ratchasima","tag-phachara-khongwatmai"],"yoast_head":"\n
<\/strong>
195 – Natthapong NIYOMCHON (THA) 66-66-63
196 – Phachara KHONGWATMAI (THA) 64-69-63
197 – Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL (THA) 66-66-65, Danthai BOONMA (THA) 65-64-68, Rattanon WANNASRICHAN (THA) 66-61-70
198 – Pavit TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) 64-68-66, Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 66-64-68
199 – Tirawat KAEWSIRIBANDIT (THA) 68-66-65, Piya SWANGARUNPORN (THA) 68-64-67, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 65-66-68
200 – Atthaphon SRIBOONKAEW (THA) 66-66-68
201 – Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) 68-68-65, Varan ISRABHAKDI (THA) 64-68-69, Pariya JUNHASAVASDIKUL (THA) 67-64-70
202 – Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 71-64-67, Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA) 65-68-69, Jordan SHERRATT (AUS) 66-67-69, Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 67-65-70, Kwanchai TANNIN (THA) 64 66 72<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand: Local prospect Natthapong Niyomchon fired a sparkling eight-under-par 63 to grab a one-shot lead in the penultimate round of the Asian Development Tour’s (ADT) season-ending Boonchu Ruangkit Championship on Saturday.<\/p>\n