By Matt Smith
Sihwan Kim, Asia’s top golfer, surged to the top of the leaderboard at the innovative Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge with 42 points at Siam Country Club’s Waterside Course.

Overnight leader Chanettee Wannasaen and her home-hope Thai compatriot Natipong Srithong sit second with 34 points alongside and Maja Stark from Sweden. Another Thai, Budsabakorn Sukapan, is fifth with 33 points in the Asian Tour and Ladies European Tour co-sanctioned mixed event. The $750,000 tournament sees all golfers — both male and female — compete for the same trophy and prize money.

Kim showed why he is ranked No. 1 on the Asian Tour with an 11-under-par 61 in round three this week.

He won the International Series Thailand last month for his first professional crown, and racked up an astonishing 11 birdies during his 18 holes to add for 22 points to his total on Friday.

Kim, who struggled on Wednesday, carding six bogeys and two birdies, said: “I just felt a little tired yesterday, but I got a really good sleep and came back out and tried to figure something out on the range. Got a feeling for something, still wasn’t very good off the tee. My putting has just been on fire, I just kept it in play and putted the lights out.

“I haven’t had a 10-under (round one) and 11-under in the same event before, that being said, it’s all about putting. I think I have been reading the lines a lot better.”

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