Smith right where he wants to be as final-round shootout looms

SEAN MOORE

Cameron Smith seemed to be here, there and everywhere on Saturday at the US$2 million (HK$15.6 million)  Hong Kong Open where some wayward shots off the tee were saved by his sublime short game. By the end of the day, however, Smith was exactly where he wanted to be, with a share of the lead going into the final round at the Hong Kong Golf Club.

The Australian’s three-round total of 16-under-par 194 following a 65 yesterday was matched by Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai, who shot 66. The pair hold a one-shot lead over the chasing pack, sowing the seeds for a final-round shootout for the top prize in the Asian Tour International Series event.

Whether the players enjoyed the roller-coaster ride though was another story as chances came and went. Smith, for example, had a tough go of it on the 16th for his bogey before immediately bouncing back with a birdie on 17th to set matters straight.

“I just hit a really bad shot off the tee,” was his explanation. “Didn’t really feel comfortable with the long stuff all day. So a little bit of work to do overnight to get it back to where it should be and I think I’ll be fine.”

At one stage there were as many as four players out front in conditions that threatened to get nasty all day - with storms brewing - but never truly darkened. Phachara also had his moments of beauty and others where you felt obliged to turn away. But there was only one bogey on his card - like Smith - and that’s what really matters.

“Start wasn’t very good with bogey on first but back on game very quick,” the Thai said. “Front nine was pretty difficult but I just tried my best. It was a difficult day but I feel OK.”

There are nine players within five strokes of the lead - among them Northern Irish great Graeme McDowell and runaway Asian Tour and International Series Order of Merit leader Andy Ogletree - so the pressure will be on from the get-go.

The tournament has returned after an almost four-year break and the crowds have flocked to Fanling - so Sunday promises to be a cracker.

For the locals there was a solid three-under 67 from Matthew Cheung that featured four birdies, moving him to five-under 205. 

“I went pretty well,” said Cheung. “It rained right through our entire front nine. I kept the ball in play and gave myself a lot of birdie opportunities.” 

Taichi Kho had a one-over 71 to leave him at one-under 209 while amateur Jeffrey Shen had a six-over 76 and sits at one-over 211.