Dubai-based MG Keyser shoots six-under 66 at Thailand International

Golf - MG Keyser — Dubai-based MG Keyser in action during third round at International Series - Thailand on Saturday. Image Credit: Supplied photo

Dubai: Dubai-based MG Keyser (RAS), representing Jumeirah Golf Estates, shot a third round six-under par 66 for a 54-hole total of 204 strokes, 12-under par in the $1.5 million International Series-Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club to move up to tied 36th place on Saturday. He lies eight shots behind the leader.

Keyser had nines of 35 and 31 with a first tee start for all players, with six birdies and no bogeys, hitting 17 of the 18 greens in regulation over the 7,507 yards par 72 layout, and taking just 29 putts. In the final round, Keyser is paired with the winner of the 2020-2021 Asian Tour Order of Merit, Joohyung Kim and fellow South Korean Sungyeol Kwon.

The third round leader is Phachara Khongwatmai, who emerged from a packed leaderboard after two rounds. The Thai star fired a nine-under par 63 to lead on 20 under par by three shots from fellow countrymen Poosit Supupramai and Itthipat Buranayarat, American Sihwan Kim, India’s Karandeep Kochhar and Doyeob Mun from South Korea.

Poosit matched the course record with a 62 while Itthipat and Kim fired 65’s. Kochhar returned a 66 with Mun signing for a 68.

Overnight leader Ryo Hisatsune from Japan carded a 71 and is 15 under.

Phachara Khongwatmai has only dropped one shot in three days and made nine birdies on Saturday, including six on the back nine, with three on the trot from the 16th. ‘‘The course is possible to shoot low score, but you still have to play well,’’ said the leader.

The rising star finally won his first Asian Tour event at the end of last year at the Laguna Phuket Championship, after years of coming close, including six runner-up finishes.

Phachara Khongwatmai also won twice on the Asian Development Tour in 2015, while it was back in 2013 he triumphed in the Singha Hua Hin Open as a 14 year old amateur.

He added: ‘‘Yes, Hua Hin has special meaning for me, as I turned professional after winning in 2013.’’

Poosit matched Sihwan Kim’s first round course record thanks to an eagle, nine birdies and just one bogey.

Earlier in the day, Thailand’s Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat, who celebrated his 15th birthday yesterday by finishing on the six under halfway cut, stormed through the field with a 63 to finish on 15 under.

‘‘Fifteen yesterday and 15-under today. I think I will need at least 63 tomorrow to win,’’ said Ratchanon.

‘‘Tomorrow, I am going to try and strike the ball like I did today and give myself a lot of opportunities again. Every single putt I have, I will have to run through every scenario and every possible calculation I need to make before hitting the putt. If I want to win, I have to do that for every single putt. I did not manage to do that on eight of the holes today. This is the first time I’ve played two-ball in my life. Feels a bit lonely.’

The youngster said it was his lowest 18-hole score. He added: ‘‘My previous lowest was an eight-under on the All Thailand Golf Tour.’’