Not-so-smooth Jazz exceeds expectations at PGA Championship

[rooster59]

Not-so-smooth Jazz exceeds expectations at PGA Championship

By Andrew Both

 

May 18, 2019; Bethpage, NY, USA; Jazz Janewattananond lines up a putt on the 14th green during the third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Bethpage State Park - Black Course. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

 

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (Reuters) - Jazz Janewattananond thought he would struggle to break 80 at Bethpage Black when he saw the course on Monday but has exceeded expectations with three rounds no worse than par that has lifted him into a tie for second behind runaway leader Brooks Koepka.

 

In his second major appearance after last year's British Open, the 23-year-old Thai gave the galleries something to enjoy in a fearless display of aggression with a violent swing and ignoring of the punishing rough waiting to gobble up wayward shots.

 

"When I arrived here it was raining," world number 72 Jazz said of the poor weather at the start of the week. "The course played so tough because the rough was so long, and the ball didn't go anywhere.

 

"I was having a nightmare. How am I going to play this golf course? I'm not going to break 80."

 

The youngest player to make the cut on the Asian Tour as a 14-year-old in 2010, he has not exactly burst from obscurity, with a victory against a strong field at the Singapore Open in January showing he could more than compete.

 

It would be fair, however, to say many fans were not familiar with his name and he said he heard all sorts of different attempts at the pronunciation.

 

"I heard some really funny ones," he said. "They love me here. People keep shouting 'love you'."

 

Jazz, who shot 67 in brilliant sunshine on Saturday for a score of five-under 205, will go into the final round seven strokes behind leader Koepka.

 

Jazz will play in the penultimate pairing with American Luke List and be able to avoid the hoopla of playing with Koepka, who will be accompanied by fellow American Harold Varner III.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-05-19

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

[Skeptic7]

Watched alot of The PGA and it was a fine performance by the 23 y.o. The windy conditions took their toll in the final round, but the young Thai certainly appears to have a bright golf future.