Thailand’s itthipat Buranatanyarat produced one of the low rounds of the day to stamp his authority on the third round of the Aramco Invitational in Saudi Arabia today, his 67 giving him a four shot advantage over the field going into the final round.

With everything to play for in the last event of the Asian Development Tour season, a win for Itthipat would see him comfortably into the top ten on the Order of Merit series and guarantee his Asian Tour card for next seaons.

Curently lying 12th in the OOM, and with placings so close outside the top three spots, the winning points would even put him into contention for the overall victory, given that the current top trio of Rahil Gangee (73), Ahmad Baig (75) and Tanapat Pichaikool (73) were all unable to advance.

The final round of the US$250,000 tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club in Saudia Arabia is going to provide a tense and emontional finish, given that the top players in the field today have the ability to vault their way up the field with the extra prize-money from the season’s richest ADT event.

The top ten players in the OOM at the close of play tomorrow will earn their Asian Tour cards for next season, and with the positions so close in the top 30 of the season-long standings, every place will count.

DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA: Dodge Kemmer of USA pictured on November 29, 2024 during the 3rd round of Aramco Invitational Tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club on November 29, 2024 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour)

In second place in the tournament after today’s round, Dodge Kemmer (72) is currently in 59th spot on the table, but a good finsih will see him comfortably inside the top ten. James Leow (73) in third place today is also well situated to improve on his current 35th spot in the OOM table.

Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanphiboonkij sits in solo fourth spot in the tournament, and if he can maintain his position through tomorrow, will almost guarantee a spot on the Asian Tour next season from his current position on 17th on the OOM table.

Few players broke par today in difficult conditions, so both India’s Arjun Prasad (69) and Sweden’s Filip Lundell (70) will be happy with their share of fifth place and will look to contend tomorrow.

In seventh spot, Joel Stalter (72) of France and Malaysia’s Marcus Lim (71) will also be keeping an eye on the points table to secure their future for next year.

DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA: James Leow of Singapore pictured on November 29, 2024 during the 3rd round of Aramco Invitational Tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club on November 29, 2024 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour)

in ninth place, Kevin Akbar (72) of Indonesia was the outlier with a straight par score alongisde Japan’s Shinichi Mizuno (69) and Malaysia’s Thomas Lim (69), who eagled the par five sixth hole and also on hole 15 to keep him under par for the day.

Rounding out the ninth spot on today’s card was Thailand’s Chanat Sakulpolpaisan who also eagled the par four 15th by holing out from the fairway.

Chanat, who started the tournament in 36th spot on the OOM table, could make significant advances up the table with a good finish tomorow, and as he revealed after his round, with a new baby on the way in January, he was hoping to win his card without having to go to Q-School which is scheduled for December.

Play continues tomorrow with an exciting finish in prospect as the tournament brings to a close the 2024 season for the ADT. The first groups tee off at 8 am local time, with the leaders heading out at 9.39 am.

Main picture: Itthipat Buranatanyarat of Thailand pictured on November 29, 2024 during the 3rd round of Aramco Invitational Tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club on November 29, 2024 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour)