Lee Poised for victory at BNI Indonesian Masters after commanding lead

0Shares

Canadian golfer Richard T. Lee is just one round away from his first Asian Tour win in seven years, holding a six-stroke lead at the BNI Indonesian Masters. With a bogey-free third-round 66 at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club, Lee now stands at 21-under, firmly positioned to claim his long-awaited victory.

Lee’s Consistent Play Builds a Strong Lead

Dominating the leaderboard since day one, Lee has shown remarkable consistency and resilience. After a tough finish in the second round that saw his lead shrink, Lee bounced back in the third round with six birdies and a spotless scorecard. Making critical saves on the 15th and 16th holes despite weather delays, Lee stayed focused even as play was halted for over two hours due to lightning and rain.

“It was a very clean scorecard today,” Lee said. “During the break, I had some calming talks with friends here, which really helped me keep my rhythm and finish strong.”

Focused and determined, Canada’s Richard T. Lee extends his lead at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club, positioning himself for victory. [photo credit: Paul Lakatos (Asian Tour)]

Ahmad Baig and Bubba Watson in Close Pursuit

Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig surged into second place after a 65, bringing him to 15-under and putting him in contention for a career-defining win. Baig, currently a standout on the Asian Development Tour with two wins this year, continued his momentum from the International Series Thailand and has remained bogey-free throughout the Indonesian Masters. Reflecting on his success, he shared, “My putter is very hot this week, so let’s see what tomorrow brings.”

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson from the U.S. is also in the mix, sitting just one stroke behind Baig. Watson, who hasn’t claimed a title in six years, thrilled the crowd with an ace on the par-three 11th. His round included five birdies and that memorable hole-in-one, which contributed to a special charitable gesture: a house donation to a local family in need through Habitat for Humanity Indonesia. Watson even pledged to personally fund a second home, underscoring his commitment to giving back.

“The game of golf has helped tremendously around the world, and to be part of that is very special,” Watson said.

Other Top Contenders in the Hunt

Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai also scored an ace on the same hole just moments after Watson. American John Catlin, Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent, and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond remain tied in fourth place, each eight strokes behind Lee.

With a flawless round at the BNI Indonesian Masters, Richard T. Lee keeps his eye on the prize, heading into the final day with a commanding lead. [photo credit: Paul Lakatos (Asian Tour)]

Lee’s Road to Redemption and Asian Tour Success

This tournament marks Lee’s return to contention after multiple close calls over recent years, including a runner-up finish in Thailand last week. His last win was at the Shinhan Donghae Open in Korea in 2017, and he narrowly missed another victory after a sudden-death playoff at the Sarawak Championship in 2019. Now, with a comfortable lead and renewed focus, Lee is closer than ever to claiming the title.

Final Round Outlook

As Lee heads into the final round at the BNI Indonesian Masters, he aims to maintain his lead and secure a much-anticipated win on the Asian Tour. With strong competitors like Baig and Watson vying for the top spot, the final round promises intense action at Royale Jakarta Golf Club.

Stay tuned as Richard T. Lee, Ahmad Baig, and Bubba Watson gear up for a thrilling conclusion to the BNI Indonesian Masters, each looking to etch their name in the 2023 season’s history.