Chatprapa surges ahead on home turf

The 26-year-old relied on her familiarity with the course to shoot a two-day total of six under-par-138, two shots ahead of overnight leader Saranporn Langkulgasettrin, the towering Ploychompoo Wilairungrueng and Taiwanese Chen Yu Ju in the Thai, China and Australia LPGA co-sanctioned event.
“My game was pretty good. I hit my shots quite well. My shots got close to the pins so I could make several birdies today,” said Chatprapa, who is in search of her first title after finishing second in a Philippines Ladies Golf Tour this year.

“I will try to stay focused and committed. Actually I hope to win but I don’t want to get under pressure,” added Chatprapa, who always practises on this course.

Saranporn Langkulgasettrin

Phuket-girl Saranporn, who started the round with one-stroke advantage was temporarily at the top of the leader’s board with seven under until a double bogey on the 17th hole followed by an ending bogey saw her finish with an even par 72 and a total 140.
“Things have been very good until the last two holes. I hit to the roughs on the 17th and the grass was not good there. Then I made three putts within the distance of 120 feet on the 18th. I’m disappointed with myself for letting the lead slip,” said the 17-year-old, hoping to win her sixth title of the year today.
“I believe I still can win. I will play aggressive and take some chances. That’s my plan in the final,” said Saranporn.

Ploychompoo Wilairungrueng

Chiang Rai-resident Ploychompoo, one of the tallest on the tour at 180cm, also hit the round’s lowest of 68 like Chatprapa to surge into contention. Despite winning two titles, the first on the China Tour last year and the second last month on the Taiwan LPGA Tour, Ploychompoo has yet to win a home crown with just two top-five finishes on the Thai LPGA as her best efforts.
Last month, she trailed Budsabakorn Sukapan by two shots going into the final round in a Thai LPGA event in Chiang Mai but finally came up short and settled for seventh.
“When I least expected it, I always played well like when I won my two titles. But when I was dying to win, things didn’t go my way. I don’t know how well I can cope with the pressure in the final. I hope I can shoot low scores,” she said.
This year’s Order of Merit winner Parinda Phokan carded a 71 to fall three shots off the lead with a total 141 for tied fifth along with Patcharajutar Kongkraphan (71).
“I need to get into momentum as fast as I can to create my chance to win. A three-shot lead is not too much,” said the three-time Thai LPGA winner of 2017.
A total of 51 players made the cut at five over-par-149 for the final round.

Chen Yu Ju