Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut delivered a blistering third-round performance to seize control of the SJM Macao Open, firing a seven-under-par 63 capped by a spectacular eagle putt on the 18th hole.

Armed with a revamped swing, new shafts, and a fresh putter, the 26-year-old surged to the top of the leaderboard at 12-under-par—three shots clear of China’s Wocheng Ye. His 20-foot eagle on the par-five finishing hole punctuated a round that tied the lowest of the tournament, firmly establishing him as the man to beat in the US$1 million event at Macau Golf & Country Club.

Ye kept pace with a bogey-free 66, while Bobby Bai of China (67), Australians Jack Thompson (68) and Brett Rankin (66), Germany’s Dominic Foos (68), and Bangladesh’s Siddikur Rahman (66) all sit another stroke back at eight-under. Wenyi Ding of China, who shared the opening-round lead, is also in that chasing pack after a 69, while Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul slipped to six-under following a 71.

Equipment changes fuel Suwannarut’s charge

Suwannarut, a past winner of the Indonesian Masters (2022) and Volvo China Open (2023), credited his resurgence to recent technical tweaks. “I was just swinging my arms and not turning my body,” he explained. “I changed to softer shafts to hit a cut more easily and switched to a different putter—that’s been important and working well.”

He relied heavily on his putting all day, draining multiple birdie chances despite two three-putts, including a rare miss from three feet. His aggressive approach never wavered, highlighted by a towering eight-iron second shot on the 576-yard 18th that set up his eagle.

Known for his power off the tee, Suwannarut combined length and accuracy to compile an eagle, seven birdies, and two bogeys, shaking off a three-putt bogey on the 16th.

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Ye, Bai, and Rahman stay in contention

Wocheng Ye, who made headlines as a 12-year-old prodigy at the 2012 Volvo China Open, produced a gritty back-nine finish. After a double bogey on the 13th, the 24-year-old bounced back with birdies on his last three holes to card a 66 and stay within striking distance.

“I think all the clubs are working pretty well, especially my putting,” said Ye, who turned professional in 2019 and has won twice on the China Tour.

Bobby Bai, Ye’s former academy teammate at Eagles Dream Golf Academy in Orlando, climbed the leaderboard with four straight birdies from the third. “My iron shots are back,” Bai said. “Ball striking is good and the putting is working well this week.”

Veteran Siddikur Rahman also impressed with a 66, leaning on his trademark accuracy on the narrow layout. “It’s a placing golf course,” said the 40-year-old. “I just try to stay on the fairway and hit the greens. My short game and putting were great.”

Australian Jack Thompson continued his rise, crediting the steady influence of caddie Adrian Verroca—fresh off a win with Wade Ormsby two weeks ago in Jakarta—for helping him stay composed.

Meanwhile, defending champion Rattanon Wannasrichan posted a 68 to sit at four-under alongside Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho (69) and Korea’s Sungjae Im (71). China’s Haotong Li is one stroke ahead after a 67. English veteran Lee Westwood rebounded with a 68 but missed the cut by three after opening with a 74.