Fuente: © Asian Tour
http://www.asiantour.com/

GOLF: ASIAN TOUR: HUR HOLDS IT STEADY AT UBS JGT CHAMPIONSHIP

/noticias.info/ Ibaraki, Japan, July 5: In-form Korean Hur Suk-ho parred the last eight holes on the way to a one-over-par 72 at the UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship on Saturday.

Hur blasted two birdies against three bogeys in the third round to lie in joint sixth spot for a four-under-par 209 total under tough conditions at the Shishido Hills Country Club.

Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng recorded a 70 to lie in a tie for 13th place after a 211 total while five strokes back was China’s Zhang Lian-wei who endured mixed fortunes for a 76 and slipped to joint 24th spot.

Korea’s Noh Seung-yul improved on day three with his best score of 69 as he rose to a tie for 29th position alongside American Han Lee who posted a 70.

Local player Hidemasa Hoshino leads the way after his second consecutive 66 for a 202 total.

Despite ending the day with a one-over-par, Hur was pleased with his performance at the West Course at Shishido Hills Country Club deemed as one of the toughest courses on the Japan circuit.

“The conditions were tough. Plus I had no luck out there compared to how it was in the first two days. I didn’t take advantage of the birdie chances and that was the difference today,” said Hur, who won the Tsuruya Open in April.

“The back nine was a big challenge and to par the last eight holes, I am definitely very pleased with my overall score. I knew that I couldn’t shoot under par for all four days but I hope to head out tomorrow and nail a really low score,” he added.

Thailand’s Prayad felt the pain of the US Masters return this week as he struggled off the tee to post a 70.

“My back is getting worse. I went for a massage which was a last minute decision last night but it did not help. I couldn’t hit the ball well all day and it was quite frustrating.

“I found the water on the third and 12th holes where I came out with a bogey on both. I found the rough and finished with a double bogey on the final hole which sums up my day. I will be taking it easy tomorrow and just hope for a steady game,” admitted Prayad, who won the last two tournaments in Japan before nailing a tied third result at the Singha Thailand PGA Championship on the Asian Tour last week.

China’s adored golfer Zhang was on a roll in the early stages when he was four under after five holes but six bogeys against a triple bogey pulled him down the ranks.

“It was good for around an hour on course and then it all started to fall apart. I struggled mentally too as I was distracted by my mistakes as it carried on through each hole.

“The 12th hole was the perfect example. My shot off the tee found the rough and I chipped out but it landed into the hazard again. My second chip found the fairway on the second hole and I ended with a triple there.

“I hope to put my head down and be focused at making the fairways tomorrow. It’s the final charge so hopefully I can finish well,” said Zhang, with five wins on the Asian Tour.

Korea’s Noh was pleased with his best round this week thanks to four birdies against two dropped shots.

“It was not the best start for me in the in the first and second rounds but today it was a much better result. My putting was really steady and I’m pleased to end the day with a two under,” said Noh, who chalked up three runner-up finishes on the Asian Tour this season. notas_de_prensa_archivo