Sarut Vongchaisit enhanced his chances of gaining an Asian Tour card for 2025 when he carded a six-under 66 to jointly lead the ADT-sanctioned Toyota Tour Championship with compatriot and good friend Tanapat Pichaikool after the third round at the Kota Permai Golf & Country Club here today.

Trailing by one stroke overnight, Sarut reeled off eight birdies against two bogeys while Tanapat maintained his composure for his third 67 in an absorbing contest. Both Thais have a three-day aggregate of 15-under 201 and are four shots ahead of another Thai, Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng who improved from 10th placing overnight.

Sarut is currently ranked 13th in the ADT Order of Merit and a good finish here would give him confidence ahead of next week’s ADT finale in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Tanapat is sitting comfortably in third position and would like to celebrate his birthday tomorrow with a top three placing.

Overnight leader Tanapat said it wasn’t the start he preferred, birdieing the second and bogeying the fourth. But he came back strongly with red numbers on seven and nine. On the back nine, Tanapat started poorly with a bogey five but bounced back when he eagled the Par 5 12th and followed it up immediately with a birdie. Bogeys on 14 and 15 opened the doors for Sarut and Witchayanon but he clawed back defiantly, finishing with three birdies in a row.

Thailand’s Tanapat Pichaikool pictured in action at the Toyota Tour Championship at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club. Picture courtesy Toyota Tour Championship.

“Sarut and I grew up together, share the same practice area, play the same course and went to the US at the same time but to different schools. In fact, we live 10 minutes apart,” said Tanapat who has won on the ADT before.

“So, playing with him today in the same flight was almost like playing a round of golf among friends. Birthday gift tomorrow? Golf is a tough game to predict. I would be happy if I can put in a nice round to celebrate my birthday.”

Sarut felt today’s round was thoroughly enjoyable especially playing with his best friend. “We’ve been together since our junior golf days so today was a lot of fun,” said Sarut, adding that he has been having issues with his putter these past few months. “Today, my putter was in great form. I haven’t won an international event yet so, tomorrow will be a good fight between me and Tanapat.”

Edven Ying and Daeng Abdul Rahman are the best placed Malaysians at joint 10th, after fashioning scores of 70 and 69 respectively. They are bunched at seven-under 209 with four others.

Malaysia’s Edven Ying pictured in action at the Toyota Tour Championship at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club. Picture courtesy Toyota Tour Championship.

“I was hitting it well on my first nine holes and created a lot of birdie chances. I hit it close but just couldn’t put the ball in,” said Daeng. “My back nine holes was a bit of a roller-coaster with two bogeys against four birdies but still managed to finish with three under today. I’m happy.”

Both Malaysians are looking forward to finishing strongly tomorrow and Ying hopes that his aggressive style of play would help propel him up the ladder. “Today wasn’t consistent for me,” said Ying. “Sometimes being too aggressive doesn’t help because I might miss the green in the wrong place and getting up and down becomes tougher.

“For tomorrow I’ll see what happens after the first few holes. Continue to be aggressive but make sure I miss greens in the right places.”

Main picture: Thailand’s Sarut Vongchaisit pictured in action at the Toyota Tour Championship at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club. Picture courtesy Toyota Tour Championship.