Malaysia’s Nateesh Ganesh salvaged a 5-over 76 with two late birdies in the third round of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship on Saturday, dropping to tied 24th with one round remaining.
The 21-year-old Nateesh finished strongly with birdies on the 16th and 18th holes at a sun-kissed Te Arai Links, for a 54-hole total of 8-over. Danish Rizal, the other Malaysian to make the halfway cut, carded a 79, tying for 57th on 20-over in what is his Championship debut.
Zack Swanwick of New Zealand. Photo: AAC
New Zealand’s Zack Swanwick seized the 54-hole lead with a second straight 67, two strokes ahead of defending champion Fifa Laopakdee of Thailand (73) and another Kiwi, Cooper Moore (71). Japan’s Kaito Sato is solo fourth, four shots back after a 70.
Swanwick is shooting to deliver New Zealand its first-ever Asia-Pacific Amateur title. “I think I have to stick to the game plan. Hit fairways and greens. It’s a spot I’ve not been in a while, and I’ll try to enjoy every second of it,” said the 20-year-old Swanwick, who is 24th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
The winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur will earn coveted spots in next year’s Masters and The Open.
