Unheralded Thammanoon steps in to carry the hopes and dreams of Thai fans

Thailand's Thammanoon Srirot (pictured) can't believe he will start the final round of the Omega Hong Kong on the same flight as luminaries Nick Faldo and Thomas Bjorn.

But he felt he deserved his place among the stars after firing a superb four-under-par 66 to climb to joint fourth on the leaderboard.

While his country was banking on 2004 Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Thongchai Jaidee to produce the goods, the lesser-known Thammanoon was left to fly the flag after Thongchai hurt his title hopes with a 72.

Thammanoon's best tournament finish this year was 31st in the Carlsberg Malaysian Open in February so he was as surprised as anyone he has been able to continue his brilliant form after rounds of 67 and 68.

'I played really good on the front nine,' said Thammanoon after his third round that left him just one shot off the lead.

'I didn't start all that well. I missed a three-foot putt to card a bogey in the first hole and then missed a putt from two feet for another bogey at the eighth. But then my game came alive and I started to charge the putts,' said the Thai.

Thammanoon's game brightened as he fired birdies on the ninth, 12th, 16th, 17th and 18th. His birdie on the 18th hole was a sight to behold. His approach shot finished on the front edge of the green and he sank the putt from 60 feet.