The American is sitting T4 on 13-under, four back after a 2-under 69 that included a number of missed chances and would need an outright win to climb into the top two.
Thailand’s Danthai Boonma gave himself a slim shot at glory with a 4-under round of 67 to move alongside International Series Morocco champion Vincent on T7.
Boonma is currently 11th in the Rankings on 150.08 points thanks largely to a second-place finish behind Vincent in Rabat, plus impressive top 25 finishes at International Series India presented by DLF and the Jakarta International Championship.
The two-time Asian Tour winner knows only a second-place finish or better will give him a chance of that lucrative LIV Golf spot. With just 18 holes left, he played down his chances.
“This is a new experience for me, to play with these good players from LIV Golf,” Boonma said. “I don’t think about trying to beat anyone else, it is good for me to play with these good players and play the shot in front of me, shot by shot.”
Things could have been even better for the 29-year-old but for two three-putt bogeys in his last two holes. Despite those blips, Boonma was pleased with the way his game is shaping.
“I worked on something with my coach on my week off, before coming here, and it just helps me to think about my tempo and my sequence and my swing,” Boonma said. “It is more important that I just keep working on that and maintain focus on that.”
Taichi Kho of Hong Kong played his way up to T18 after a 3-under round that could also have been better save an opening bogey and another dropped shot on the par-5 15th.
Kho prefers to concentrate on finding form going into the LIV Golf Promotions event in Florida early January which will offer another two golden tickets onto the League.
The 25-year-old finished runner-up at last year’s LIV Golf Promotions event, missing out on the golden ticket that went to Chieh-Po Lee of Chinese Taipei. This season, two places will be available at the innovative event in Florida.
Kho, who recently finished fifth at the National Games, was delighted that four players from the Asian Tour could theoretically qualify through the season-long rankings race and the promotions event.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity,” Kho said. “Not just the promotions event, but finalizing this season’s International Series Rankings race. There’s a lot more opportunity for us than there was 12 months ago. I think a lot of credit has to go to LIV Golf for making those changes, and it makes all the players really hungry as well.
“Myself and all the players going to the promotions event, here as well, we are all really buzzed to have the opportunity. I think the fact that there is more opportunity this year than last year is a step in the right direction.
“I think the most deserving player from this season – or the two best players from the season – will get the opportunity next year. It is based on merit, and I think that’s what we all want. A lot of credit goes to LIV Golf and The International Series. I think we’re all wanting to be one of those two players.”
(Photos courtesy of Asian Tour)
