Thailand's Poom makes surprise lead in Indonesia

Jakarta, : Young Thai golfer Poom Saksansin fired a flawless seven-under-par 65 to seize the third roundlead at the BNI Indonesian Masters on Saturday.

The 23-year-old Poom made a surprise charge up the leaderboard to lead by two shots on 13-under-par 203 from Japan's Masahiro Kawamura and Kalem Richardson of Australia at the $750,000 Asian Tour event.

Poom will enter the final round as the leader for only the second time in his career on the Asian Tour, after leading in the 2014 Queen’s Cup in Thailand before finishing second.

With numerous players breathing down his neck, the baby-faced Poom hopes to put his experience of playing on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) to good use as he chases for a first Asian Tour victory.

"After I was five-under, I felt like it would be my day so I started playing more aggressively. This is my second time in the last group on the Asian Tour," said the one-time winner of the ADT, according to an Asian Tour press release.

"I will try not to be nervous on the final day. I just want to give myself a chance on the final day," the Thai added.

Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, a three-time Asian Tour number one, birdied the closing two holes for a 69 to tie in fourth place on 206 alongside Marcus Fraser of Australia, who needs a victory at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club to overtake Scott Hend on the Order of Merit.

Scores after round 3 of the BNI Indonesian Masters (par 72):

203 - Poom SAKSANSIN (THA) 69-69-65.

205 - Masahiro KAWAMURA (JPN) 66-71-68, Kalem RICHARDSON (AUS) 68-68-69.

206 - Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 68-69-69, Marcus FRASER (AUS) 69-67-70.

207 - Suradit YONGCHAROENCHAI (THA) 67-74-66, Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA) 68-72-67, Phachara KHONGWATMAI (THA) 67-71-69.

208 - Tom JOHNSON (USA) 72-68-68, Danthai BOONMA (THA) 70-69-69, LIU Yan-wei (CHN) 68-70-70, Antonio LASCUNA (PHI) 69-69-70.