South Africa’s Peter Karmis maintained his lead at the Handa Singapore Classic, with compatriot Jbe Kruger and Taiwan’s Chan Yih-shin close behind after the third round yesterday.
Karmis fired three birdies against one bogey, his first of the tournament, for a two-under 70 to remain in contention for a first Asian Tour victory with a three-day total of a 20-under 196 at the Orchid Country Club.
Kruger, who finished second in Brunei last month, and Chan, winner of the King’s Cup in Thailand last year, battled to a 68 to tie for second on 200 at the US$400,000 Asian Tour event.
PHOTO: AFP/ASIAN TOUR
South African Keith Horne fired a sizzling 65 to share fourth place alongside South Korea’s Choi Jin-ho (66), Taiwan’s Lu Wei-chih (67), Pariya Junhasavasdikul of Thailand (68) and India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar (70) on a 202 total at the inaugural tournament.
Karmis, who earned his Asian Tour card in Qualifying School in Thailand this year, said: “I was a bit off my game and didn’t hit it as well. I missed a few fairways and couldn’t go for the greens.”
“I was making pars the whole time. It was a bit of a grind, but to be fair I was starting to hit well again on the back nine,” he said.
Despite holding a four-stroke lead, Karmis believes it will still be an uphill battle for the title.
“I’m still not in a comfortable position, despite my four-stroke lead. Every day someone goes low, so I’m going to [have to] shoot several under-par,” he said.
Today promises to be a tense day for Karmis and the chasing pack.
“There is pressure, but I’m more excited than being nervous. It is a good thing because this is what we live for,” Karmis said. “We live to compete and being in contention, otherwise there’s no point of playing competitively.”
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