Asian Tour’s Scott Vincent and Phachara Khongwatmai put themselves in excellent positions to challenge for honours in the final round of the US$25 million LIV Golf Invitational, at Centurion Club in London, on Saturday after battling performances in the second round to stay in the hunt.
Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe. Photo: Asian Tour
Zimbabwean Vincent, who claimed the International Series England last weekend for his first success on the Asian Tour, and Phachara both carded two-over-par 72s to end the day on one over in a tie for fifth – in the first of eight LIV Golf Invitational events this year.
First-round leader Charl Schwartzel from South Africa kept the lead after returning a 66 for an impressive tournament total of nine under. His countryman Hennie Du Plessis is in second place, three strokes back, following a 68, while American Peter Uihlein carded a 66 and is in solo possession of third five off the lead.
A shotgun start at 2.15pm today saw all 48 player start at the same time.
Vincent is attempting to win for the third week on the trot, having triumphed in the Mizuno Open in Japan two weeks ago, and while he has an enormous challenge to catch Schwartzel he faces the prospect of securing far and away the biggest cheque of his seven-year professional career.
“Much harder day for me today,” said the 30 year old, who is one of 13 Asian Tour players competing this week.
“This is great for English weather, I would take this anytime, I am looking forward to tomorrow, I am excited about it. Hopefully things will go right.”
Having birdied both 16 and 17 he looked set to finish closer to the front runner, but he dropped a shot on the par five 18th.
“I’d like my game to be a little bit sharper, but the game is completely out of your control, all you can do is commit to your shots and see what happens,” he added.
“Today I felt comfortable, yesterday was a bit different, but it’s great to be in these circumstances and learn to be uncomfortable. Game plan tomorrow is exactly the same, point A to point B.”
Phachara, who like Vincent has won once before on the Asian Tour, made a late birdie on his 17th hole and just missed a 15-foot birdie attempt on his last.
He said: “I’m happy to still be in a good position heading into the final round tomorrow. It’s tough out there. I didn’t get off to a good start, bogeyed the first but I hung in there. Felt good coming back, made a birdie on 18 which was nice.
“The conditions and the pin positions are tough today. It was windy and difficult, so I think 72 is still alright. I’m still under par for the tournament so it’s good. The week has been great so far. I’m enjoying myself out here. I like this format. It’s more fun and exciting.”
The 23-year-old Thai star also has a chance to win the team event as his Crushers GC team – consisting of Uihlein, England’s Richard Bland, and Travis Smyth from Australia – are just seven shots behind the leader’s Stingers GC.
The formidable Stingers side is made up of Schwartzel, Du Plessis, and South Africans Brandon Grace and Louis Oosthuizen.
Added Phachara: “I’m glad my team is still in contention as well. Peter and Travis both played well today. I talk to Peter every morning. The mindset is just to go out there and play, don’t think so much, just try my best. The greens are tricky here. It’s slopey and not easy to read. Putting is the key to score this week.”
Thailand’s 15-year-old golf prodigy Ratchanon Chantananuwat fired a 69 and is two over par in joint 17th.
