MotoGP™ has officially landed in Finland. Monday saw the first track action in a two-day test at the new KymiRing completed by manufacturers’ test riders, as well as two Press Conferences to mark the occasion for the gathered media to hear thoughts from officials and the riders.

The day was, unfortunately, wet and there was an immediate change to the program, with the timetable for the MotoGP™ runners changed to 12:00 to 18:00 local time (GMT +3). That meant it was the local heroes up first to try out the track, instead of at the end of the day.

That trend of home heroes first continued once the green light was on for the premier class test, with Mika Kallio out first on the KTM RC16 – with the latest chassis – to greet the fans who had flocked to the circuit to witness premier class motorcycle action in Finland for the first time since 1982. All six test riders eventually got a taste of the circuit though, despite conditions being far from ideal with rain falling throughout the day.

Aprilia’s Bradley Smith was the next out on track and the British rider was fastest at lunchtime with the first sub-two-minute lap. Ducati’s Michele Pirro and Honda’s Stefan Bradl were up next, with Bradl continuing development work on the carbon-reinforced chassis but also making some unwanted history by becoming the first rider to crash at the KymiRing as he went down at the final corner, rider OK. The German was also spotted as having a ‘salad box’ fitted to both bikes in his garage, which was last seen at the Sepang Official Test at the start of 2019.

Suzuki’s Sylvain Guintoli and Yamaha’s Jonas Folger were the last to try out the KymiRing later in the day, getting a taster before more action is expected tomorrow – as well as better conditions. Track time will be 11:00 to 18:00 local time, with young Finnish riders on track the hour before.

Check out motogp.com for more from Finland on Tuesday and gear up for more on Day 2!

Bradl was the first to crash, rider okPirro kicks up some sprayGuintoli headed out later in the day……as did Folger on the YamahaSmith was the first man to break the two minute barrier(Top photo: Kallio heads out at his home track)
Press Conference kicks off the KymiRing test L-R: Carlos Ezpeleta, Senior Sporting Director at Dorna Sports; Tapio Nevala, President of the Finnish Motorcycle Federation; Jorge Viegas, President of the FIM; Kari O. Sohlberg, Chairman of the Board of KymiRing;Timo Pohjola, KymiRing Circuit Director; Aki Ajo, from Ajo Motorsport.Jorge Viegas, President of the FIM: “Finland is a country with a lot of tradition in motorsport. It’s on the way, I have been in this position, managing works on a circuit in my country 20 years ago, so I know what it feels like to have journalists coming, Dorna and the FIM coming…I know how it feels! But everything is going well, and I think it’s a privilege to be here for the first time.”

Tapio Nevala, President of the Finnish Motorcycle Federation: “It’s a big dream to have MotoGP bikes in Finland, my heart has been pounding. It’s very important for us for Finnish motorsport. A MotoGP race is important for our sport and for Nordic motorsport, as well as it being important for this whole area.”

Timo Pohjola, KymiRing Circuit Director: “We continue the work on infrastructure, we don’t have green on the circuit at the moment so we’ll raise the standard of the facility. A lot of work needs to be done, we have one year to do everything but the most important thing is that for safety reasons, especially, that we can have the test here. Because after that we know exactly where we will have everything like the curbs. So that’s important for us but also for the teams, that’s the meaning of testing. But overall I’m very happy, it’s been a long journey and I know many of you will recognise these words from a driver once: ‘Leave me alone, I know what I’m doing!’”

Aki Ajo, Ajo Motorsport: “We’ve been dreaming for years about this, to have this kind of track and to have the chance to have a MotoGP race in Finland. It was a special feeling for me this morning that I woke up in my own bed before a MotoGP test, which doesn’t happen very often! But seriously, it’s really important to have first track action here, now is the time to see what they need to do to finalise everything here so we can have a great race.”

Carlos Ezpeleta, Senior Sporting Director at Dorna Sports: “I visited for the first time with Franco Uncini a few years ago and honestly, it’s a great place and I have to congratulate everyone for the work they’ve done because it’s very impressive that we have bikes on track today. I know these past months have been hard for them and I must congratulate them because the job they’ve done is of a high standard. We’re very happy to have Finland back on the calendar, it’s one of the countries with a lot of history in motorsport as has been said, and we know that the requirements for a MotoGP track are very high, both on track and off, and the plan is to accommodate all of them so we’re very happy.”

Riders’ thoughts on Day 1L-R: Kallio, Pirro, Bradl, Guintoli and SmithStefan Bradl: “Unfortunately we weren’t lucky with the weather, which was the biggest problem today. So I hope tomorrow it’s dry and we can get more impressions of this race track. It’s a very interesting track, it’s good to get some laps in the wet and so far so good! I’m looking forward to tomorrow because there will be better conditions and I think that will be better for everyone – spectators and us as riders, we’ll have more fun and enjoy this atmosphere here.”

Michele Pirro: “It’s a really nice track, it’s been difficult to understand in wet conditions! I hope conditions are better tomorrow and dry, that’s important. But I think the first part, it’s fast and really nice, the second part is slow but interesting and I like it. I hope tomorrow we can do some laps in the dry, but it’s a great track for MotoGP.”

Sylvain Guintoli: “The first part is good, Turn 1 to Turn 3, I like that bit a lot, you go down then up into the braking before the straight. I love it here in Finland, I’ve never been before and it’s been nice to visit the place. I like countryside so I’m happy here!”

Mika Kallio: “I think for everyone if you can race at home it’s something special absolutely, and I was the first guy out with the MotoGP machine today so that’s cool to be the first to make those laps. I agree with what the guys have said, some parts of the track are quite slow, at the moment and especially in these conditions and new tarmac, with water…it was quite slippery all the time and there we couldn’t quite get the right feeling. But hopefully tomorrow it’ll be dry and we’ll get more impression how the racetrack is.”

Bradley Smith: “This is a different track, very different to anything we’ve seen before, quite tight and twisty and a little bit slow in places, but we also have places like Silverstone where it’s flat out everywhere – sometimes it’s good to have a complete different end of the spectrum. Also we have three different categories! It’s not just for MotoGP and I think those smaller bikes will really fit this race track. Let’s see tomorrow. There are a lot of off camber corners here which makes it difficult for the riders, it’s a technical challenge.”

In 2013 it was Jorge Lorenzo (Repsol Honda Team) who took on now-teammate Marc Marquez in one of the all-time great showdowns. The year after, Marquez returned the favour. 2015 saw Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) emerge from a rain-soaked race day to take to the top step, before Maverick Viñales, now at Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP, took the spoils for Suzuki the following year. Then it was Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) painting Silverstone red in 2017, and that makes it five riders and four factories who have made British turf their own in the last five races there. They’ve also all done it in style, because Silverstone usually stages a classic. Can 2019 deliver the same?

As we return to the venue for another year, there’s certainly one big difference: the track surface. The British behemoth is back open for business with high expectations and new asphalt, and Friday’s feedback will be an interesting listen. But one thing that’s never changed is the stunning layout, with 18 corners pushing man and machine to the maximum around a high-speed ribbon of tarmac that snakes it way around the former airfield. Vast and fast is apt.

So who will rule Britannia in 2019? Almost all the likely contenders really have been a winner in the UK. The most recent victor, Andrea Dovizioso, also arrives on top of the world after his stunning Austrian GP triumph. He’ll be one to watch, as is usually the case. But then so will Marquez, who has sometimes had a rockier road on race day at Silverstone but whose pace in qualifying has seen him take four premier class poles at the venue. Could we get another duel? Will the reigning Champion strike back?

Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales, meanwhile, will be aiming to make sure it’s a much bigger fight at the front. Rossi’s speed at Silverstone seems to grow year on year and Viñales’ record at the track is impressive. He won his first race there so there are some good memories, and he was also the man closest to Dovizioso last time we raced in the UK. And then there’s Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT)…

The French rookie will know the venue has often been a good one for his bike, but does that even make that much difference? The number 20 equalled Yamaha’s best result at the Red Bull Ring, where it should have been a much harder task than he made it look, and everywhere he goes, he goes fast. He’s back at the top of the Independent Team rider standings as well, and could be a key contender.

And what of Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar)? His bike is a winner at Silverstone, before he was the man on it or even in the class, and it was a landmark day back in 2016 for the Hamamatsu factory. Rins himself is now back on form after ironing out two uncharacteristic mistakes before the summer break, and he’s unlikely to settle for anything that’s not an assault on the win at the very least. He’s a man with a bigger box to tick than many now he’s taken his first win this season, and is a big candidate to be the sixth different winner at Silverstone since 2013.

The man just ahead of him, Ducati Team’s Danilo Petrucci, could be another although he’s looking for more of a bounce back after a tough Austria, as is Jack Miller (Pramac Racing), the man now behind Quartararo in the aforementioned Independent Team rider standings. And lurking just behind him is Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol). It’s been a tougher year at times for the Brit, but on home turf he’ll give it everything to be back in the fight at the front he’s so often been part of. And he’s had pole at Silverstone before, so the speed is there and he’ll want to convert it into big points and a podium in front of the home crowd. He’s done it before.

The man for whom a return is the real key phrase, however, is Jorge Lorenzo. After a long period of recovery from his injuries sustained in Assen, the five-time World Champion is expected back on track at Silverstone and it’s a good venue for it. Lorenzo has three wins there, including that stunner in 2013, and good memories aplenty. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) is also back in action at Suzuki after his Brno testing crash, so he’ll want to get stuck in to making up some ground to those ahead of him: the likes of Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT), Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu). There’s a lot at stake in the tight fight for the top ten.

The Great British behemoth awaits, and the Great British weather is in the wings too. But come rain or shine, Silverstone usually serves up a storm – so tune in for the GoPro British Grand Prix, with lights out for MotoGP™ at 13:00 local time (GMT +1).

Championship standings1 – Marc Marquez (SPA – Honda) – 230

2 – Andrea Dovizioso (ITA – Ducati) – 172

3 – Danilo Petrucci (ITA – Ducati) – 136

4 – Alex Rins (SPA – Suzuki) – 124

5 – Valentino Rossi (ITA – Yamaha) – 103

Marquez vs Moto2™: can the field triumph over the form man?

The intermediate class arrive into fast and challenging Silverstone and one man has a target on his backIn the last seven races, Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) has been crashed out once through no fault of his own and beaten only once. His form is on fire, his lead is 43 points and he’s shown good speed at Silverstone before. So can anyone do what Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) did in Austria?

On the face of it, it’s good news for the field that Binder beat Marquez. But Binder is seventh in the Championship and 72 points off the number 73, so in some ways Marquez can afford to control that risk and play the long game. With his advantage, though, that’s almost true of every race…although things can change quickly if momentum swings.

That’s certainly what Tom Lüthi (Dynavolt Intact GP) will be hoping. It’s been a tougher two races since the summer break and the gap has shot out again, with the Swiss rider still the man closest to Marquez in the standings but that now meaning 43 points in arrears. He is a Moto2™ winner at Silverstone though – something Marquez is not – after he won in 2016, and he was only 0.057 off the win in 2010 too. Can Lüthi start the fight back now?

Between Lüthi and Binder in the standings there are plenty of fast faces too: Jorge Navarro (Campetella Speed Up), Augusto Fernandez (Flexbox HP 40) and his teammate Lorenzo Baldassarri, Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP)…can they get in Marquez’ way? Some have the ace card of consistency, some have destroyed the field this year…

Then there are the home heroes. Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) is a man who has fought at the front at Silverstone before and shown some awesome speed, with the number 22 having taken two poles at the track. He’ll be on it on home turf. Rookie Jake Dixon (Sama Qatar Angel Nieto Team) will want to add to his points haul as a minimum as well and, especially if its wet, will also be one to watch.

And what of Bradley Smith? The number 38 is racing in his third class of the year replacing the injured Khairul Idham Pawi at Petronas Sprinta Racing, taking on a huge challenge to jump straight into Moto2™ during a race weekend on machinery that’s changed an awful lot since he last raced it. How will he fare? He’ll have huge support guaranteed, and a lot of eyes will be on the premier class podium finisher to see how quickly he can get up to speed.

Silverstone is a very different challenge to Austria and one of the fastest and longest tracks of the year. Who will tame the beast in 2019? Moto2™ go racing at the slightly later time of 14:30 (GMT +1) in the UK.

Championship standings1 – Alex Marquez (SPA – Kalex) – 181

2 – Tom Lüthi (SWI – Kalex) – 138

3 – Jorge Navarro (SPA – Speed Up) – 126

4 – Augusto Fernandez (SPA – Kalex) – 121

5 – Lorenzo Baldassarri (ITA – Kalex) – 115

Moot point? The Moto3™ duel lands in the UKIt’s as good as neck and neck, with Dalla Porta leading Canet by a single point. Will Silverstone break the status quo?For a good few rounds now, Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) and Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) have been locked in battle for the lead of the Moto3™ World Championship, and ahead of Silverstone it’s the Italian back in the lead by a single point. Will the duel continue as we start to look towards the flyaways? Or will someone start to pull ahead soon?

Canet arrives as a previous winner at the track after he took victory in 2017 – the last time the lightweight class had a race there – but last season Dalla Porta qualified ten places higher than his key rival, on the front row, so it’s far from a duck track for him either. That could mean the stage is set for another classic and the gap could stay similarly close, although their rivals will be eager to get in the way of the see-saw at the top of the table.

Home hero John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) is one of those. The Scotsman has already shown some serious speed this season, and won a race, and he’ll be gunning for glory on home turf. The men he fought for the podium in Austria will likely be in the mix too: Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers) and his teammate and eventual winner Romano Fenati, who could be an interesting equation now he’s been back on the top step. Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) needs to make up some ground in the standings, and Marcos Ramirez (Leopard Racing) will want to consolidate his position in the top five.

In the fight for the points, Tom Booth-Amos (CIP – Green Power) will also want to add to his haul, with home turf the place to do it in a tightly-packed Moto3™ field. Tune in when the lightweight class go racing at the slightly later time of 11:20 local time (GMT +1) at the GoPro British Grand Prix to see if it remains a see-saw duel at the top of the standings.

Championship standings1 – Lorenzo Dalla Porta (ITA – Honda) – 155

2 – Aron Canet (SPA – KTM) – 154

3 – Tony Arbolino (ITA – Honda) – 113

4 – Niccolo Antonelli (ITA – Honda) – 105

5 – Marcos Ramirez ¡(SPA – Honda) – 89

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Aug. 19, 2019 – For the second consecutive year, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) heads to Pinehurst, N.C., and Pinehurst No. 8 for the 32nd edition of the LPGA T&CP National Championship, to be held Aug. 26-28, 2019.

The course, designed by Tom Fazio, was constructed in 1996 and will host the championship for the fifth time in tournament history. The 2018 championship marked the first time the competition was conducted on Pinehurst No. 8 since 2008.

The LPGA T&CP National Championship was originally organized in 1983 to provide additional playing opportunities for LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals. The 54-hole, stroke-play competition has since grown to become the world’s ultimate test for women golf professionals. The tournament features three divisions: Championship (6,322 yards), Challenge (6,027) and Senior (50+, 5,932 yards). The field will be cut to the top 70 and ties after 36 holes.

“We are thrilled to have the championship at Pinehurst No. 8 once again,” said Nancy Henderson, Chief Teaching Officer of the Teaching and Club Professionals and President of the LPGA Foundation. “We are proud that our LPGA T&CP members have the chance alongside female members of the PGA of America to contend on this historic course for a share of the $100,000 purse and the chance to compete in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.”

The top-eight finishers in the Championship division will earn exemptions into the 2020 KPMG PGA Women’s Championship, to be held June 23-28 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa. The top five finishers in the Senior division as well as any competitors over age 45 who finish in the top 10 in the Championship division will qualify for the 2019 Senior LPGA Championship, to be held Oct. 14-16 on the Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort in French Lick, Ind.

Stephanie Connelly Eiswerth, the 2018 T&CP national champion, will look to defend her title against a Championship division of veteran tournament players. Eiswerth defeated Jimin Kang and Seul-Ki Park last year with a birdie on the second playoff hole to win in her first championship attempt.

“I’m very excited to return to Pinehurst No. 8 in the LPGA T&CP National Championship,” said Eiswerth. “This course requires accuracy and a variety of shots from the player. It is a wonderful test of golf and I can’t wait for the opportunity to play it again next week.”

The field includes numerous former T&CP champions, including four-time winner Jean Bartholomew, three-time LPGA Tour winner Wendy Doolan and 2016 champion Lisa Grimes. Reigning Senior division champion Barbara Moxness will go for her third championship title. Ten North Carolina residents are among the field, including Pinehurst natives Sally Austin, Kelly Cap and 2018 Challenge division winner Charlaine Hirst. Donna Andrews, a six-time LPGA Tour winner, major champion and the director of golf at nearby Pine Needles Resort and Lodge, will also return to compete in the Senior division.

The tournament field represents 25 states, with Florida’s 31 competitors the most of a single state. Other notable players include Nicole Jeray (Ill.) PGA Master Professional Alison Curdt (Calif.) and Joanna Cole (Md.), the PGA Assistant Director at Baltimore Country Club.

Along with competitive play, the championship will host an LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Clinic open to the public on Saturday, Aug. 25. Professionals, amateurs and fans are also welcome to discover and try new golf equipment and products supplied by tournament sponsors and partners during on-site Demo Days on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 25-26.

The Nongbuapamphu players went 1-0 up in the 37thminute thanks to Jirayu Saenup who volleyed from a poor free kick defense by Muangthong.

But their joy was short-lived, as Muangthong hit back two minutes later with Vithisak Srichai’s equalizing header in the 39th.

Nongbualamphu goalkeeper Chayanant Khamphala brilliantly brushed off an attack from lone striker Jessadakorn Nisri in the 70th, but in the 78th minute Muangthong went up 2-1 after midfielder Thachapol Chaiyant took the ball in the penalty area and faked through two defenders, as well as the goalkeeper, to score an easy winner.

Muangthong received the Bt1.5 million cash prize while Nongbuapamphu took home the Bt700,000 consolation prize.

The famous beach-street circuit is the jewel in the crown of Thai motorsport and is expected to host 500,000 spectators during the five-day event.

Sandy Kraokaew Stuvik of B-Quik Racing is ready to fight it out in a brand-new Audi R8 GT3 Evo 2019 Spec.

Sandy will once again share the cockpit with talented Estonian driver Martin Rump.

Prior to taking to the streets at Bang Saen, B-Quik Racing and Sandy will give the Evo a shakedown at Bira International Circuit on August 9 to make sure it’s ready and prepare some preliminary set-ups for the tricky and twisty street circuit.

“I think Bira is the perfect place to test our car before we unleash it at Bang Saen,” Sandy said. “Bira is quite short and technical and we should get a good idea of what to expect at Bang Saen.”

He’s currently in third place in the overall standings and will be looking to score as many points as possible at Bang Saen.

After testing the new Evo, he’s hopeful of more podium finishes and will be pushing harder than ever to secure his first win in Thailand Super Series.

Sandy also has numerous sponsor-events and commitments to fulfil, including handing out prizes to fans in attendance.

“Bang Saen is always a very special event,” he said. “The atmosphere, the fans and the cars make for a truly unforgettable experience. You’ve got everything from burning rubber to the hot and fresh food being prepared all around the circuit. I can’t think of a better day out.”

After a full gas back-to-back, MotoGP™ has headed north for a two-day test to inaugurate the new KymiRing in Finland on the 19th and 20th of August. All six manufacturers’ Test Teams have now arrived at the northernmost track on this year’s itinerary to get acquainted with the ‪new venue ahead of its planned inclusion on the MotoGP™ ‪calendar.

During the test, the track will be open ‪from 10:00 to 17:00 local time (GMT +3), with a final slot ‪from 17:00 to 18:00 for local heroes to take to the track for some laps of their new World Championship venue.

2011 Moto2™ World Champion Stefan Bradl is on test duty for Honda, with test rider and ever-impressive wildcard performer Michele Pirro on track for Ducati. Former WorldSBK Champion Sylvain Guintoli represents Suzuki, with premier class podium finisher and recent Moto2™ runner Jonas Folger putting the laps in for Yamaha.

Local hero Mika Kallio will be on track for KTM as he gets a first taste of his new home track, with the high calibre line-up completed by Bradley Smith testing for Aprilia, fresh from making a little history as a podium finisher in the opening two races for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup – and ahead of his Moto2™ appearance at Silverstone.

On Sunday the six riders walked and studied the track with their teams ahead of getting on the asphalt on two wheels on Monday, before later lining up for the first photo opportunity at the brand new track. With the kerbs flying the colors of the Finnish flag and the background a stunning slew of giant conifer trees and clear northern summer skies, it was a moment to remember for the track.

The test will also include two press conferences. ‪On Monday at 13:00 representatives from the FIM, Dorna and local authorities will talk to the media, with FIM President Jorge Viegas, Timo Pohjola, KymiRing Circuit Director, Tapio Nevala, President of the Finnish Motorcycle Federation, Aki Ajo from Ajo Motorsport, and Carlos Ezpeleta, Sporting Director from Dorna Sports all present.

‪On Monday evening at 18:00, the six riders will then take part in a second press conference to give their first impressions of the track.

(L-R) Guintoli, Bradl, Smith, Pirro, Folger and Kallio surrounded by nature at KymiRingKids in the new block, all riders are eager to start their engines on the new tarmac.Honda’s Stefan Bradl was eager to start lapping around the Finnish track.Always cheerful, Michele Pirro from Ducati was optimistic about the unique layout.Six factory riders ready for two busy days of track examination and putting the bike to the test in uncharted territory.Yamaha’s Jonas Folger wanted to hear about his fellow riders’ opinions of the track.The French Suzuki test rider Sylvain Guintoli in front of the pit box building.KTM’s Mika Kallio, who lives less than 2 hours from the track, is the only rider to have tested the layout on a street bike.British rider Bradley Smith from Aprilia was impatient to start testing.

The 33-year-old Dodt, who is playing in his first event since suffering a two-month injury layoff in April, was left to endure an agonizing wait in the clubhouse after closing with a flawless eight-under-par 64 at the Damai Golf and Country Club.

Knowing that he needed an eagle on the last to force extra time with Dodt, Lee opted for an aggressive style of play as he hit a three-wood off the deck from about 275 yards to eight-feet and made the eagle putt to sign for a closing 66. It was a sensational finish for Lee as he had to hit a big draw around the trees to get to the green on 18.

The duo, who were tied on 24-under-par 264 in regulation play, returned to the 517-yard par-five 18th for the sudden-death playoff where both found the middle of the fairway with their tee shots. Dodt laid up to about 75 yards from the pin while Lee decided to go for the green.

The 28-year-old Lee got lucky as his ball hit the cart path and bounced back to about 25 yards right of the green in the rough. He then chipped to 12 feet but his birdie putt would eventually lipped out and it was Dodt who sealed the deal after sticking his approach to two-feet.

“I started my career on the Asian Tour. It’s nice to win on Tour again. It feels very rewarding. I’ve been playing great at home and I transformed that form at home into this week. It’s great to be holding the trophy. I’m over the moon,” said Dodt whose previous Tour wins were the 2010 Avantha Masters and the True Thailand Classic in 2015.

American Micah Lauren Shin missed a 20-feet birdie putt on the last to force his way into the play-off as he signed for a 65 to finish in third place on 265 in the full-field event, which celebrated its second straight edition on the Asian Tour this week.

Overnight co-leader Hung Chien-yao of Chinese Taipei returned with a second straight 68 to take fourth place on 266 while Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines settled a further shot back in fifth following a 66 at the Arnold Palmer-designed course.

Order of Merit leader Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand battled to a 69 to finish in a share of sixth place on 268 alongside a host of players, including Zimbabwean Scott Vincent, whose closing 62 would have match the course record if not for the preferred lies ruling in play.

The final round of the Sarawak Championship was delayed by a 3 hours 5 minutes weather suspension in the morning. Play was suspended at 7.25am local time before resuming at 10.30am.

The Sarawak Championship is supported by the Sarawak State government. It is also the Tour’s second stop in Malaysia this season.

Scores after round 4 of the Sarawak Championship being played at the par 72, 6970 Yards Damai GC course (am – denotes amateur):

264 – Andrew Dodt (AUS) 66-64-70-64, Richard T. Lee (CAN) 66-68-64-66.

265 – Micah Lauren Shin (USA) 69-65-66-65.

266 – Hung Chien-yao (TPE) 64-66-68-68.

267 – Miguel Tabuena (PHI) 65-65-71-66.

268 – Scott Vincent (ZIM) 68-66-72-62, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 66-68-71-63, Itthipat Buranatanyarat (THA) 68-67-69-64, Justin Quiban (PHI) 64-71-67-66, Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 65-64-70-69.

269 – Danthai Boonma (THA) 67-66-68-68, Sadom Kaewkanjana (THA) 66-67-67-69.

270 – Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) 68-65-65-72.

271 – Jack Harrison (ENG) 67-69-68-67, Liu Yanwei (CHN) 67-70-67-67.

272 – Jesse Yap (SIN) 67-68-73-64, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 68-66-70-68, Travis Smyth (AUS) 71-66-66-69, Lloyd Jefferson Go (PHI) 69-65-68-70, Kosuke Hamamoto (THA) 68-71-62-71.

A third round 3-under 69 at Medinah Country Club’s Course No. 3 left the 27-year-old Pan in a share of 24^th place, three shots outside the projected 12^th position needed for him to advance into the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs Finale, the TOUR Championship in Atlanta next week.

The good news for Pan is he is still on track to become the first Chinese Taipei golfer to qualify for the International Team at the Presidents Cup against the United States Team in Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Australia in December. Qualifying for the top-8 players ends on Sunday, with Pan sitting right on the bubble.

He left the scorer’s trailer with a tinge of disappointment after letting slip a few birdie chances on a day of low scoring. American Justin Thomas fired a blistering new course record 61 to race into a six-shot lead in the penultimate Playoffs event.

“I left a few opportunities out there. On 17, I had a six-footer for birdie and missed. I hit a lot of good shots and gave myself a lot of opportunities. I just didn’t quite get it done,” said Pan.

He entered the week ranked 37^th on the FedExCup points list following a season in which he secured a breakthrough victory at the RBC Heritage in April. However, Pan is hoping to sweeten his season further by making it into the TOUR Championship for the first time, which would present him an opportunity to shoot for the prestigious FedExCup and the US$15 million prize.

Pan conceded he didn’t make the most of ideal scoring conditions. “It’s not windy as the last few days and the greens are soft and it is kind of a birdie-fest. You can go for the pins and the ball will stop. Just have to hit some good putts which I didn’t do,” said Pan, who played in the first two rounds with Tiger Woods.

“This course, I love it. I’ve got to play it smart. It’s a long course, over 7,600 yards so I have to play my game and follow my game plan.”

Halfway leader Hideki Matsuyama of Japan dropped to T9 position after shooting a 73 which included three bogeys against two birdies. He needs to finish 15^th or better to make it into his sixth straight TOUR Championship next week.

Pavit, a one-time Asian Tour winner, returned with a near-perfect round highlighted by eight birdies against a bogey to match the overall efforts of Lee and Hung, who had rounds of 64 and 68 respectively, at the Damai Golf and Country Club.

“My driver this week has been quite good. I hit a lot of fairways and gave myself a lot of chances for birdies. This course is not that long. I hit a lot of wedge. I holed a long putt today on the third. It’s about a 30-footer. It gave me a lot of confidence there. On the 12th, I made the putt from about nine yards off the green,” said Pavit, who won his only Tour title in Macau three years ago.

“I wasn’t thinking about winning. I stayed relaxed out there and just enjoyed the round. I know I need to try and retain my card this year but I won’t put myself under any pressure.

“I took a week off to spend some time with my girlfriend in the US over the summer break. It was nice to take a vacation and come back fresh. I worked out there as well. I went to see my friend who is a trainer there,” added Pavit, No 1 player of the Asian Development Tour in 2014 where he won three ADT titles. He missed only one fairway in his commendable round of 65 and needed only 26 putts around the greens on Saturday.

“I will play my best tomorrow. The par-fives here are reachable so everyone can make birdies out there. Putting is key too. You can hit the green but if you can’t make the putts, it’s nothing,” the Thai added.

The trio snatched a one-shot advantage over Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand after they were tied at the top with matching three-day totals of 18-under-par 198 in the full-field event, which is celebrating its second straight edition on the Asian Tour this week.

The round of the day went to Thai-Japanese Kosuke Hamamoto, who fired a sizzling 10-under-par 62 to set a new course record at the Arnold Palmer-designed course.

The 20-year-old rookie made five birdies on each nine to move into a share of eighth place on 201, three behind the leading trio. His third-round 62 would also mark the lowest to-par round on the Asian Tour this season.

Jazz, who started the round with a one-shot lead, traded four birdies against two bogeys to sign for a battling 70. He is chasing a fifth victory and a third one this season which would put him in a strong position to make the International Team for the Presidents Cup in December.

The Sarawak Championship is supported by the Sarawak State government. It is also the Tour’s second stop in Malaysia this season.

Through his stellar achievements, the Tour said it believes Kiradech will inspire a new generation of Thai golfers to follow in his footsteps, .

The 30-year-old Thai will conclude the 2018-19 PGA Tour season in 83rd place on the FedExCup points list after securing three top-five finishes at the WGC-HSBC Champions, WGC-Mexico Championship and AT&T Byron Nelson.

By finishing in the top-125 of the points list, Kiradech successfully retained his card for the 2019-20 PGA Tour season which tees off in mid-September.

“We are delighted for Kiradech, who enjoyed a commendable first full season on the PGA Tour,” said Christian Hardy, vice president, International, PGA Tour. “By negotiating his way into the FedExCup Playoffs he has successfully retained his Tour card, which is a wonderful achievement,” he said.

“As the only Thai golfer on Tour, we couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. His performances throughout the season were impressive especially when he had to play for much of the year with a knee injury. We wish him a speedy and full recovery ahead of our new 2019-20 Season.”

Christian Hardy, vice president, International, PGA Tour

Hardy believes Kiradech’s success will serve as an encouragement to other young Thai talents such as Jazz Janewattananond to aim for the PGA Tour. Jazz, 23, currently leads the money list on both the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.

“It’s great to see other young Thai golfers like Jazz coming through the ranks. Over the years, we have seen many top golfers emerging from this region. The PGA Tour’s membership now includes 90 international members hailing from 27 different countries outside of the US and this is a strong reflection of the game’s global growth and appeal,” said Hardy.

“I’m not surprised to see Thailand producing top golfers as the support the game receives in the country is impressive. The PGA Tour appreciates the contribution from the various organisations and sponsors as it helps grow the sport and develop players. We also look forward to the day when the PGA Tour comes to Thailand through our expansive portfolio of businesses and opportunities through interests expressed by companies who share our vision and mission to grow the sport internationally and impact our communities.”