Peter Uihlein is teetering on the brink of snagging his second win in The International Series this year.
Tearing up the leaderboard with a poised three-under-par 67 in today’s third round at the Thai Country Club, Bangkok, Uihlein has carved out a tidy three-shot lead.
This marks the sixth tournament in the series—a collection of 10 Asian Tour-sanctioned events that pave the road to the coveted LIV Golf League.
Right on his heels, an eclectic band of challengers from across the globe.
Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig, after a stunning 63, shares the runner-up spot with India’s Rayhan Thomas, Swede Charlie Lindh, Max Lee Chieh-po from Chinese-Taipei, and Australian Maverick Antcliff.
Not far behind is America’s top dog on the Asian Tour, John Catlin, who dazzled with the lowest round of the week—a scorching 61, leaving him just a stroke behind with the likes of Filipino Miguel Tabuena and Thailand’s David Boriboonsub.
Despite his rounds not matching the fireworks of his initial 64 and 62, Uihlein remains optimistic, feeling secure atop the leaderboard with just one more round to go.
“Overall, it was fine,” said Uihlein, who led by one from Antcliff at the start of the day, “you know, it was a good enough day where I felt like it could’ve been really, really good. But, yeah, we’ll see.”
Currently third in The International Series Rankings, Uihlein is eyeing the top spot, needing a victory tomorrow to narrow the gap with front-runner Catlin.
His power game has been an ideal fit for the Thai Country Club, a course that’s not particularly long but has generously wide fairways.
The sweltering heat, however, is playing its part, compelling the players to adjust their shots significantly.
Uihlein explained: “Yeah, I think we’re taking off like four or five yards just based on the heat, right?
So, we’re taking off some distance, and then every ball basically is a flyer out of the rough, so if we’re in the rough we’re just kind of catching fliers.
And it’s hot, so we’re taking off probably 20-25 yards just in the rough alone. So, yeah, even from the fairway and the tee we’re taking off distance just because it’s really, really hot.”
Surprising many, Ahmad Baig has catapulted himself into contention with an exemplary performance that began and ended with three consecutive birdies—a remarkable feat that underscores his rapid rise this year.
“It feels totally different especially because on the Asian Tour there are so many big names playing. So yeah, it’s a very good experience for me.”
Meanwhile, Rayhan Thomas, fresh from his professional turn just this June, has quickly found his stride. With a win already under his belt at the Coimbatore Open in India and a solid performance in the International Series Morocco, he is a name to watch.
“I graduated at the end of May, so I just turned pro, kind of at the start of June,” said Thomas, who went to Oklahoma State.
He added: “I’ve gained confidence every week, which is good. I’ve been able to step up at the right times, and so it’s been trending the right way, and hopefully I can keep it going.”
As for Catlin, today was nearly historic. He flirted with a 59, echoing his earlier performance in Macau.
“There were a couple that shaved the edge,” he said.
“There was a moment there when I thought about the 59 again. It was just a special day, and it puts me in a position where I can maybe try and get after it again tomorrow.”
As the sun sets in Bangkok, the stage is set for a riveting final round in The International Series.
For more on this thrilling golf saga, make your next stop The International Series official website.
