Putter puts Prayad into share of the lead

RENOWNED long hitter Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand made up for a wayward performance off the tee yesterday with an inspirational putting display to share the lead with India's Arjun Atwal at the Omega Tour's US$200,000 Lexus International in Bangkok.

Prayad, the winner of October's Yokohama Singapore PGA Championship, fired a bogey-free 65 and goes into the final round on top of the leaderboard with Atwal on 12-under-par 204.

Atwal carded an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys in his four-under 68, while joint overnight leader, American Mike Cunning, shot a one-under 71 to hold third place a further shot behind.

Hong Kong-based Burmese Kyi Hla Han, who shared the overnight lead, recorded a 73 and is three shots off the lead in joint fourth position.

'Thankfully my putting went really well today because my driving was very poor,' Prayad said. 'I missed the fairway off at least eight of the tees and, by the end of the round, I was using my three wood instead of my driver.' However, Prayad holed a 15-foot birdie putt on the third hole and followed that with birdies from 20 feet on the 12th, 13th and 16th holes.

'I've led going into the final day a couple of times this year and, although it's impossible not to think about winning, I'll obviously try and put it from my mind while I'm playing,' said 24-year-old Atwal.