STEADY SARIT TAKES TWO-SHOT LEAD INTO FINAL ROUND OF SJM MACAO OPEN
[Macao SAR, 18 October 2025]: Sarit Suwannarut held off the chasing pack to maintain his lead in the SJM Macao Open today, after a third-round four-under-par 66.
He takes a two-shot lead (16-under) over Australian Brett Rankin into tomorrow’s final round at Macau Golf & Country Club.
Rankin carded a 64, while China’s Ding Wenyi is a stroke back after a 65, with compatriot Wocheng Ye another shot behind following a 67.
Sarit, chasing his third title on the Asian Tour but his first since 2023, started the day with a three-shot lead – and that was the gap at the turn.
Playing partner Rankin caught him with a birdie on the 14th, but the cool-headed Thai responded with birdies on 16 and 18, while the Australian dropped a shot on 17.
Sarit only made one bogey (on the 10th) and admitted to feeling the pressure of being in contention again.
“I would say some nerves got into me,” said the 27-year-old.
“I’m pretty excited to play good golf again. I mean, I wanted to really, really play good golf today, and I think I did it pretty well. Yes, some nerves there.”
He’s been particularly impressive off the tee with his driver, and when asked if this is the best he has hit it, he replied:
“Actually, I’ll say yes. At the beginning of the year, it wasn’t like this — it went everywhere — but now I kind of have a better feel for it. I’ll try to keep hitting good drives tomorrow.”
“I will try to stay as positive as possible tomorrow,” he added. “I’ll focus on what I have to do, commit to the shot, hit it, and stay aggressive. That’s all I’m going to do tomorrow.”
Rankin on the chase
Rankin, playing his first full season on the Asian Tour after graduating from qualifying school last year, is enjoying one of the finest tournaments of his career outside Australia.
“It was a lot more complete than the first two days,” he said.
“I drove the ball great, my iron play was really good today, and my wedge game was a lot better than the first two days.
I played well — ticking all the boxes from tee to green and on the greens. Usually when I’m doing that, I’m shooting good scores.”
Korea’s Sungjae Im (63), Ian Snyman (66) from South Africa, and Jack Thompson (67) from Australia sit five shots behind the leader on 11-under.
Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho returned a 67 and is seven under, while John Catlin (USA), the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion who shot a 59 on this course last year, also fired a 67 and is five under, alongside defending champion Rattanon Wannasrichan (69).
