Aphibarnrat Takes over First at Shenzhen International; Uihlein Two Back


Kiradech Aphibarnrat carded a 4-under 68 to take the 54-hole lead in the inaugural Shenzhen International. The European Tour event got underway Thursday at Genzon Golf Club in Shenzhen, China.

The 25-year-old Thai carded eight birdies and two bogeys through 16 holes and could have entered Sunday with a five-stroke lead over the field. But Aphibarnrat double-bogeyed the par-5 17th and bogeyed the par-4 last for a 12-under 204 total and just a two-stroke edge over halfway leader Peter Uihlein, who carded a 71.

Aphibarnrat, who led by six shots at one point Saturday, told the European Tour's website of his recent play, "I've been striking the ball so well in the first three rounds. It's a good way to start. First, I made three straight birdies to jump up at the top. I was still hitting the ball great on the back. Then I made a big mistake on last two holes, not the way to finish."

He was talking about the 17th; while Aphibarnrat doubled the hole Uihlein birdied it, creating a three-stroke swing.

"I lost the focus on the short putt on 17," Aphibarnrat added. "That is the big turn, the big key for me after Peter made birdie, and we swung three shots on that. That's a big move. But I made a mistake and I lost some concentration."

Uihlein, a 25-year-old from Massachusetts and former All-American at Oklahoma State, came into the third round with a one-shot edge over Aphibarnrat. Uihlein had four more birdies but also four bogeys and couldn't generate much momentum. "I just made too many sloppy bogeys. Four bogeys, a bit rough, five birdies and missed a couple pretty easy ones," he lamented.

However, the 2010 U.S. Amateur champion at Chambers Bay, site of this year's U.S. Open, is in position to obtain his second European Tour title.

Three behind Aphibarnrat is Spain's Pablo Larrazábal, who matched Saturday's low round of 7-under 65, while sharing fourth at 208 are Argentina's Emiliano Grillo (70), Australian Scott Hend (68) and Englishmen Matt Ford (70) and Tommy Fleetwood (69).

After recording eight birdies and a bogey on the 17th, Larrazábal came away pleased with his outing. "My game was brilliant today. I missed two shots, the second shot on 17 and the second shot on 18, but I played very solid," he told the European Tour's website. "I made only one long putt. I made a two-putt on 11, and then I made I think five birdies from four feet."

Tied for eighth at 209 are five players, including local favorite Li Hao-tong of China, the other player to post a 65 Saturday. The 19-year-old Li was paired with two-time Masters' champion Bubba Watson, who carded his second straight 74 and is tied for 58th at 2-over 218.

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015028/leaderboard/index.html.