French rookie soars to top in Thailand

CHONBURI, Thailand: Unheralded young Frenchman Clement Sordet fired a cracking nine-under 63 to seize the lead in the third round of the Thailand Golf Championship at the Amata Spring Country Club on Saturday.

Sordet, who ironically was the very last golfer to be invited to compete in the tournament, played superbly to leave overnight leader Jamie Donaldson two shots adrift after the Welshman shot a 71.

Lee Westwood, a two-time champion of the tournament, gave himself a chance to make it a hat-trick with an excellent eight-under 64, to move up the leaderboard into third place, one shot behind Donaldson.

Korea’s An Byeong-hun took over fourth spot following a 68, with Ryder Cup stars Sergio Garcia (70) and Martin Kaymer (72), a further stroke behind in joint fifth place.