Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut, armed with a new swing, putter and shafts, marched into the lead at the Macao Open on Friday, looking every bit the golfer who has won two of the biggest titles on the Asian Tour.
The 26-year-old took charge of the US$1million (approx 32 million baht) event by making a brilliant 20-foot eagle putt on the par-five 18th to shoot a third-round seven-under-par 63.
It is the joint-lowest round of the week and saw the Thai take the lead on 12-under 128, three shots ahead of Ye Wocheng, the unsung Chinese golfer, who carded a 66.
Ye’s compatriot and former college-mate Bobby Bai (67), Australians Jack Thompson (68) and Brett Rankin (66), Germany’s Dominic Foos (68) and Siddikur Rahman (66) of Bangladesh are another stroke back.
China’s Ding Wenyi, the joint first-round leader with Gunn Charoenkul from Thailand, is also in that group after a 69. Gunn fell back after a 71 and is six under.
Sarit, winner of the Indonesian Masters in 2022 and China Open the following year, has had a relatively quiet season.
He is currently 34th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit — principally thanks to two top-12 finishes in his last two events. These have been the highlights of his season so far — the result of adjustments to his swing and equipment that appear to have got him back on track.
“I have done a few things. I was just swinging my arms and not turning my body, and I changed to softer shafts so I can hit a cut more easily plus I have a different putter — that’s been important and it’s working well,” Sarit said.
His eagle on the last hole was a result of a giant 8-iron second shot on a hole that is 576 yards.
“I think it was all about putting today,” he added.
“Even though I had two three-putts, I still made a lot of birdie putts. I missed one three-footer, but other than that I made everything, so it’s the putter that kept the momentum going.
“For sure, I never change my plan. If I have a chance to be aggressive, I will always be aggressive. You have to commit to the shot and then hit. A bad shot is still a bad shot, so I’m going to stick to my plan.”
Sarit is one of the strongest drivers on Tour, an attribute not a necessity at the Macau Golf and Country Club, where accuracy is key. However, the man nicknamed ‘Safe’ was long and straight yesterday on his way to making an eagle, seven birdies and two bogeys. Surprisingly, he three-putted the 16th for a bogey from 30 feet.
Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho came in with a 69 and is four-under 136, along with Korea’s Im Sung-Jae, who fired a 71.
Defending champion Rattanon Wannasrichan of Thailand is also tied with them after a 68.
Kho found himself in one of the strangest situations on a golf course when his father, who had been following his group, stepped in to caddie for John Catlin, one of his playing partners, whose caddie was unable to carry on due to heatstroke.
China’s Haotong Li is one stroke back after a 67, while England’s Lee Westwood, winner of this event 26 years ago, bounced back with a 68 after an opening 74, but missed the cut by three.