KARACHI: During the third day’s competitive activity of UMA-CNS Asian Tour Golf Championship at the appealing Karachi Golf Club on Saturday, the champions with a winning touch and flair and mastery were the Thai players who continued to dominate and command the flow of the happenings at the KGC Course. Namchok Tantipokhakul was the leader after three rounds and moving into the final phase with an aggregate score of 204, twelve under par while Jakarphan Premsirigorn was one stroke behind at a score of 205, eleven under par and Tirawat Kaewsiribandit was third with a score of 207. In the course of the third round yesterday, the Thai trio were in no mood to relent at any stage and through precision and impeccability in application of golfing expertise, they demonstrated ample control over the proceedings. For Pakistan, expectations were that Mohammad Munir, who was placed second at the end of the second round, would manage a breakthrough, though he played well and hit the ball with rigor and correctness, he did not succeed in making the required birdies. His effort however needed to be commended and certainly bordered on excellence, though the Thailand champs were just too good. Munir did pick up two birdies on the second and seventh hole, but these were neutralised through stroke losses on the 4th hole and 17th hole and he had to be content with a third round score of 72. With an aggregate score of 210, six under par, he was placed at 6th position with barely any hope of capturing the top position on Sunday (today). But he is likely to improve his overall standing from 6th to being in the top three. This international open golf championship at the Karachi Golf Course is likely to help in development of golf in Pakistan. Our national players and the upcoming young ones have acquired useful experience simply by competing and watching the champions perform in a fulfilling manner. What apparent is the foreign players fitness and their discipline. Sunday is the final day of this championship. Results of the third round: 204 — Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA) 67+70+67 205 — Jakraphan Premsirigorn (THA) 69+68+68 207 — Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (THA) 71+69+67 209 —- Pawin Ingkhapradit (THA) 68+70+71 209 —- Suradit Yong (THA) 69+68+72 210 — Settee Prakongvech (THA) 72+69+69 210 —Mohammad Munir (Pakistan) 69+69+72. Published in Daily Times, October 14th 2018.