Late stumble costs Aphibarnrat

Kiradech Aphibarnrat’s five-shot lead at the Shenzhen Open got cut down to two on Saturday as he stumbled over the closing holes.
The Thai was sitting pretty through 16 holes of his second round and looking odds on to take a big lead into the final round.
But a double bogey at the par-5 17th was followed by another bogey at the par-4 last, as the 25-year-old dropped from 15 under down to 12.
He still managed to sign for a four-under-par 68, however, thanks to some superb play earlier in the day, and still stands a good chance of claiming what would be only his second European Tour victory.
Prior to his stumble, Aphibarnrat made nine birdies and two bogeys to leave his rivals trailing in his wake. At one stage, he led by as many as six strokes.
“I’ve been striking the ball so well in the first three rounds. It’s a good way to start.
“First, I made three straight birdies to jump up at the top. I was still hitting the ball great on the back. Then I made a big mistake on last two holes, not the way to finish.”
“I lost the focus on the short putt on 17,” he added. “That is the big turn, the big key for me after Peter made birdie, and we swung three shots on that. That’s a big move. But I made a mistake and I lost some concentration.”
As it stands, he’s two shots clear of overnight leader Peter Uihlein, who could only manage a 71, while Pablo Larrazabal lies a further shot back on nine under.
“I just made too many sloppy bogeys. Four bogeys, a bit rough, five birdies and missed a couple pretty easy ones,” said Uihlein.
Tied for fourth on eight under are Scott Hend, Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Ford and Emiliano Grillo.
Latest
-
PGA Championship
Graeme Storm recalls ‘surreal’ US PGA adventure after battle with Rory McIlroy
His famous victory over McIlroy came on the third extra hole in the 2017 South African Open in Johannesburg
-
PGA Tour
Lee Kyoung-Hoon shoots his lowest round on the tour to retain Texas title
Dallas-born Jordan Spieth went close with a chip for eagle on the 18th which would have forced a play-off.
-
European Tour
Sam Horsfield ‘so happy’ after winning Soudal Open to secure another title
Horsfield overcame overnight leader Ryan Fox in a thrilling final-round battle.
-
PGA Championship
Justin Rose still has drive to succeed as ‘exciting challenge’ of US PGA arrives
Rose won the US Open in 2013 and Olympic gold in Rio three years later, but has not tasted victory since February 2019.
-
PGA Championship
Tiger Woods will expect to do better at US PGA Championship – Curtis Strange
Woods returned to top-level action after a long injury absence with a 47th-placed finished at the Masters.
-
PGA Championship
Defending champion Phil Mickelson withdraws from US PGA Championship
The six-time major winner has been taking a break from golf.
-
PGA Tour
English rookie David Skinns shares lead in Texas
The 40-year-old from Lincoln shot a second-round 63 in the AT&T Byron Nelson.
-
PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth looking for career grand slam at US PGA Championship
The presence or absence of defending champion Phil Mickelson which will dominate the conversation at Southern Hills.
-
PGA Championship
5 contenders to win the US PGA Championship
Tiger Woods could contend for victory in Tulsa.
-
News
We’ve got your back – Greg Norman promises to defend players on breakaway tour
Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood are among the professionals to have asked for the required release to play the first event at Centurion Club.