Hend powers into Thailand lead

Scott Hend will take a one shot lead into the final round of the True Thailand Classic after carding a six-under 66 in the third round.
Hend carded a 67 and 68 respectively in the first and second rounds, and his score on Saturday leaves him on 15-under.
The Australian’s brilliant display of powerful and precise driving from the tee helped him to card five birdies and an eagle, before a bogey on the final hole cost him an error-free round.
“It was a good round and puts me in a good position. I played very solidly and putted quite well. I only made one mistake so it was pretty good,” Hend told the Asian Tour website.
“This is where you want to be, in the last group on a Sunday. I’ll be playing with Thongchai again and Miguel so it’ll be a good little test tomorrow.
“I’m very lucky and privileged to be playing golf for a living and being in contention on Sundays is what we’re all trying to do.”
Second round leader Miguel Angel Jimenez dropped to down to share second place with Jaidee Thongjai on 12-under. Jimenez carded a bogey-free 69, with birdies on the second, tenth and 17th
holes.
Thongjai, who was tied for second with Hend on nine-under at the start of the third round, carded a 67 to stay in contention.
Jimenez denied that he was frustrated by missing a few birdies on Saturday.
“I only had three birdies but it was a bogey-free round. The last hole was close to being a birdie, but just missed,” he said.
“I’m playing well and hitting it well. I missed a few putts (but) I’m creating lots of chances.
“This is a beautiful place and it’s beautiful weather – it’s a good scenario. It’s not frustrating. It could have been five or six under today but that’s the game and you have to take it.”
Kiradech Aphibarnrat trailed Jimenez by single shot at the halfway mark, but dropped to fourth on 12-under after shooting a two-under 70.
Latest
-
PGA Championship
Justin Thomas pays tribute to caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay after his US PGA victory
Phil Mickelson’s former bagman gave Thomas a crucial pep talk after he shot 74 on Saturday.
-
PGA Championship
Tommy Fleetwood confident he is ‘coming out the other side’ after dip in form
Fleetwood finished in a tie for fifth at the US PGA Championship.
-
PGA Championship
Emotional Justin Thomas credits his experience for US PGA victory
Thomas also won the 2017 US PGA at Quail Hollow.
-
PGA Championship
Justin Thomas eclipses Will Zalatoris in play-off to claim second US PGA title
The former world number one’s victory equalled the biggest comeback in US PGA history.
-
PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy’s Sunday charge at US PGA Championship ends in disappointment
McIlroy’s closing 68 in Tulsa was followed by him declining to speak to waiting reporters.
-
PGA Championship
Paul McGinley says Tiger Woods deserves better than to be a ‘ceremonial golfer’
The 46-year-old withdrew from a major championship for the first time in his professional career at Southern Hills.
-
PGA Championship
Mito Pereira with three-shot lead at US PGA as Tiger Woods withdraws
It is the first time in his career that Woods has withdrawn from a major.
-
PGA Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick relishing chance at securing first major title
A third round of 67 means Fitzpatrick trails leader Mito Pereira by three shots at the US PGA Championship.
-
PGA Championship
Tiger Woods withdraws from US PGA following his worst round at event
The American made the halfway cut with a shot to spare at Southern Hills, but struggled to a nine-over-par 79 in the third round.
-
PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy suffers early blow to slip further back at PGA Championship
After a run of five straight pars McIlroy pulled his tee shot to the par-three sixth into the water and ran up a double-bogey five.