SINGAPORE: Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond will have his work cut out for him on Sunday if he wants to defend his Singapore Open title after Matt Kuchar went on a birdie binge to take over the lead.
Kuchar is three strokes up on Jazz following a blistering nine-under-par 62 at the Sentosa Golf Club on Saturday.
The Rio Olympics bronze medallist sank four birdies in his front nine and five on the back nine for a three-day total of 17-under-par 196.
“I got off to a great start with birdies in the first two holes,” said the American, whose round would have been the course record if not for the preferred lies ruling at the Serapong Course.
“I continued to play some good steady golf, took advantage of the par-fives again and it was a great day.”
Jazz carded a 67 to share second place with the Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena, who posted a 66.
“A very slow start today as nothing was really going my way in my front nine, but I'm still happy with four-under,” said the 2019 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.
Jazz is bidding to be only the second player, after Australian Adam Scott, to defend the title in Singapore but is aware of the challenges ahead.
“It would be great, but Kuchar’s in for it right now and I see his score and it will be fun tomorrow. Let’s see if I can perform my best tomorrow,” he said.
Former world number one Justin Rose carded a 68 to lie sixth at 11-under.