Incheon, Korea: Malaysia’s Gavin Green grinded out a third round one-under-par 70 to take a slender shot lead over the chasing pack at the Shinhan Donghae Open on Saturday.
The Malaysian, who is chasing his Asian Tour breakthrough this week, traded five birdies against four bogeys to compile a three-day total of eight-under-par 205 on a windy day at the Bear’s Best Cheongna Golf Club.
Green started off promisingly with a birdie on the par-five second. He dropped two shots on four and five but recovered quickly with another pair of birdies on holes six and seven.
He then mixed his card with two birdies and two bogeys in his inward nine for a 70 and sole possession of the lead at the KRW1.2 billion (approximately US$1.06 million) event which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Korean PGA.
Asian Tour Qualifying School graduate Jarin Todd of the United States rued a costly double-bogey at the last which caused him to slip to a share of second place with Korea’s Hyungseok Seo, Giwhan Kim and Seungtaek Lee.
Zimbabwean Scott Vincent meanwhile continued to impress in his second outing at the Shinhan Donghae Open as he returned with a 65 to share sixth place with Canada’s Richard T. Lee and Korea’s Kyungnam Kang.
Did you know?
Gavin Green has his father, Gary on his bag again this week. The father-son partnership has been key to Green’s success on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).
Green won two of his three ADT victories with his father on his bag. He says, ‘My father knows me best.’
Green is looking for his Asian Tour breakthrough this week. He has enjoyed three top-10 results, including two runner-up finishes in India and Chinese Taipei this year.
Jarin Todd is an Asian Tour Qualifying School graduate. He earned his card by finishing tied-19th at Qualifying School. His best results on the Asian Tour so far were two tied-15s at the Yeangder Heritage and Thailand Open.
Richard T. Lee missed the cut at the Shinhan Donghae Open last year. He has only made the cut in four events out of 10 starts on the Asian Tour this season.
Scott Vincent had a chance to force a play-off if he had birdied the last hole at the Shinhan Donghae Open last year. He could only make par then and had to settle for tied-second place.
Players’ Quotes:
Gavin Green (Mas), Third round 70 (-1), Total 205 (-8)
It was one of those grinding days where I really got to hang in there and take my chances when they come. I didn’t hit the ball as well as yesterday and my game plan was to make more putts. The winds were swirling which made play difficult. But I was grinding it out there and trying to make some pars and fortunately, I also got a couple of birdies. I got to stay really patient tomorrow because there are so many good players behind me and anything can happen. I’ve been in this position a couple of times already and I know it’s going to take a lot of patience and keeping the faith in myself.
Jarin Todd (Usa) Third round 69 (-2), Total 206 (-7)
I played really solid today. I kept the ball in play a lot and only missed two greens today. The winds have been very similar the last two days and I already had a feel of how my ball was going to go. It all depends on the weather tomorrow but I’ll try to do what I’ve been doing by hitting the fairways, greens and making those putts.
Richard T. Lee (Can) Third round 68 (-3), Total 207 (-6)
It has been pretty much three very solid rounds. It has been a while since I’ve been in contention and I feel like I’ve a chance this week. I had a few injuries the last two years and I’ve been getting treatments. So that resulted in the dip in form. I feel like I’m getting better and I’m pleased with my results now.
Scott Vincent (Zim) Third Round 65 (-6) Total 207 (-6)
I played great today. Putted really well and hit the ball nicely so all-in-all, it has been a very solid day. This is a course which I really like. I love the set-up. The greens are rolling so good and there are a lot of birdies opportunities if you put the ball in play. That’s what I’ve been doing so far and I’ve got to keep it going for tomorrow. It’s windy but if you are going to strike the ball well, it’s not going to affect you that much.
Leading scores after round 3 of the The 33rd Shinhan Donghae Open being played at the par 71, 6953 Yards Bear's Best Cheongna GC course (am - denotes amateur):
205 - Gavin GREEN (MAS) 68-67-70.
206 - Hyungseok SEO (KOR) 74-67-65, Jarin TODD (USA) 68-69-69, Giwhan KIM (KOR) 70-67-69, Seungtaek LEE (KOR) 67-67-72.
207 - Scott VINCENT (ZIM) 69-73-65, Richard T. LEE (CAN) 68-71-68, Kyungnam KANG (KOR) 65-69-73.
208 - Natipong SRITHONG (THA) 68-71-69, Sanghee LEE (KOR) 70-67-71, Younghan SONG (KOR) 67-69-72.
209 - Tirawat KAEWSIRIBANDIT (THA) 68-73-68, Keith HORNE (RSA) 68-72-69, Eunshin PARK (KOR) 69-69-71, Junsung KIM (KOR) 65-69-75.
210 - David LIPSKY (USA) 71-71-68, Chanwoo KIM (KOR) 70-70-70, Peradol PANYATHANASEDH (THA) 73-67-70, John Michael O'TOOLE (USA) 69-70-71.
211 - Ben LEONG (MAS) 71-67-73, Chan KIM (USA) 67-71-73, Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) 70-68-73, Yikeun CHANG (KOR) 74-70-67, Rattanon WANNASRICHAN (THA) 71-73-67.
212 - Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) 70-71-71, Bio KIM (KOR) 68-71-73, Jeunghun WANG (KOR) 68-71-73, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 71-67-74.
