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YOSHINORI HOLDS ONE SHOT LEAD AT SINGAPORE OPEN


PHOTO: LAGADERE SPORTS

Sentosa, Singapore, January 19: Japan’s Yoshinori Fujimoto had a closing birdie to thank for giving him the outright lead after he signed for a third round five-under-par 66 at the SMBC Singapore Open on Saturday.
The Japanese’s three-day total of 13-under-par 200 gave him a slender one-shot advantage over Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick who posted rounds of 65 and 66 respectively at the season-opening event of the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).
"Glad that we finished the 3rd round before suspension. I was not expecting to finish when I was playing front-nine. From the 1st round, my shots were mostly straight so that was the cause for my good score. I’m really tired now, but at the same time I’m enjoying myself with the international players here. I just concentrate on my golf, so I am not thinking about that," said Yoshinori."
"It is nice to have good result, winning the tournament, because we all play golf to win. All the good players are on the top, but I like to enjoy and show good golf to the spectators
My family is in Japan and supporting me all the time. So I like to give them some good news tomorrow. It has been a while, since I’ve won. I’m glad that I am in good position to do so now." 
Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat (66) shared fourth place with Korea’s Doyeob Mun (67) and tournament headliner Paul Casey of England (68)  on matching 203 total.
Fujimoto showed no signs of fatigue despite having to return early to the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club to complete his remaining 11 holes from his second round. After snatching the second round lead with a 67, the Japanese held onto his pole position by marking his card with four birdies, one eagle and a bogey.
Jazz continued to underline his growing credentials with a scintillating 65 which could possibly see him return to The Open in July as the SMBC Singapore Open is part of The Open Qualifying Series for the third consecutive year.
The 23-year-old finished tied-fourth at the SMBC Singapore Open to qualify for The Open last year and rekindled his affinity for the Serapong course with a flawless round that was highlighted by six birdies. 
Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat delighted the local crowd who began to take notice of the four-time Asian Tour winner when he went on a birdie blitz with five birdies in six holes after the turn to surge himself towards the top of the leaderboard at the US$1 million event. 
DID YOU KNOW
  • Yoshinori Fujimoto's best finish at the Singapore Open came in 2016 when he finished tied-14th.
  • Fujimoto went to the same University- Tohoku Fukushi University as Hideki Matsuyama but is two years and four months older.
  • He turned professional in 2011 and is a two-time winner on the Japan Tour.
  • The Japanese finished tied for 27th at the SMBC Singapore Open last year.
  • Jazz Janewattananond first played his way into the history books of the Asian Tour in 2010 when he became the youngest ever player to make the halfway cut at the 2010 Asian Tour International in Bangkok at the age of 14 years and 71 days.
  • He won his first Asian Tour title at the 2017 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open and claimed his second win at the Queen’s Cup on home soil in June.
  • He finished tied-fourth at the SMBC Singapore Open last year to earn his maiden appearance at The Open.
  • Jazz’s breakthrough victory in Bangladesh was especially sweet as he had finished outside the top-60 on the 2016 Order of Merit and missed the grade at the 2017 Qualifying School.
  • Matthew Fitzpatrick is playing at the SMBC Singapore Open for the first time. He has only dropped two shots in 54 holes so far.
  • Chapchai Nirat’s best result at the Singapore Open came in 2008 and 2012 where he finished tied-seventh on both occasions.

Leading Scores after round 3 of the SMBC Singapore Open being played at the par 71, 7403 Yards Sentosa GC course (am - denotes amateur):
200 - Yoshinori Fujimoto (JPN) 67-67-66.
201 - Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 68-68-65, Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 68-67-66.
203 - Chapchai Nirat (THA) 67-70-66, Doyeob Mun (KOR) 71-65-67, Paul Casey (ENG) 68-67-68.
204 - Poom Saksansin (THA) 65-70-69.
206 - Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 68-71-67.
207 - Prom Meesawat (THA) 69-69-69, Hosung Choi (KOR) 69-69-69, Sihwan Kim (USA) 70-67-70, Shaun Norris (RSA) 69-68-70, Davis Love III (USA) 69-68-70, Shotaro Wada (JPN) 66-70-71, Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 70-71-66.

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