Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat remained on track to regain his PGA Tour card after shooting a 2-under 70 for tied 17th position following the third round of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing & Finance on Saturday.
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With a three-day total of 6-under 210, the 32-year-old Kiradech is projected to finish in 18th position in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals The 25 ranking and secure one of the 25 PGA Tour cards at stake this week.
“Pretty surreal. It’s pretty hard not to smile.” 🎓@PeppGolf alum @SRTheegala reacts to securing first @PGATOUR card via The Finals 25.#TOURBound pic.twitter.com/aXubNBV720
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) September 4, 2021
Korea’s Byeong Hun An carded a 71 for equal 21st place where he needs a projected two-way tie for fifth or better on Sunday to break into the top-25 and regain his PGA Tour membership. He is presently four strokes outside of fifth place. Compatriot Seungyul Noh slumped to an 82 for 76th place.
Kiradech, who is the first Thai to earn a Tour card, toured the front nine in 34 before trading three more birdies against as many bogeys at Victoria National Golf Club. He entered the week in 22nd position on the ranking, ensuring a nervous final week of the season.
A double bogey on the 17th hole could yet prove costly to An as he settled for a 5-under total and leaving himself with much to do on Sunday if he harbours hopes of regaining his PGA Tour membership this week. He has played on the PGA Tour since 2016.
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Trey Mullinax, meanwhile, is seeking the second wire-to-wire victory of the 2020-21 Korn Ferry Tour season, as the University of Alabama alum holds the outright lead for a third consecutive round. The only other wire-to-wire victory this season was Cameron Young’s win at the 2021 AdventHealth Championship back in May.
Also Read: Slaying mental demons key to Kiradech’s road back
“I feel great. I made a few unfortunate errors coming down the stretch, but all in all my game is really good,” Mullinax said. “I hit a lot of really good shots. Nos. 17 and 18 are hard holes. If you don’t hit good shots coming down, you’re going to be penalized. I feel like I’m playing well enough to win. This has been so much fun to hit good shots and be in contention. I’m just going to have a smile on my face tomorrow and enjoy every bit of it I can.”
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