Rafa Cabrera Bello started on the back nine and takes a two-shot lead into the weekend at 13-under after closing with a 65 in spite of a double bogey at the par-3 17th.
"The 17th is a tough hole and it was pretty windy. I got a wind gust, I didn't hit that bad of a shot, but it is what it is," said the Spaniard.
"I just kept my head down and kept focusing on what I was doing. The birdie on the 18th put me right back on track and I played an excellent front nine.
"I've been doing a lot of work over the break on my swing and trying to make it better. I feel some weeks it really clicks, other weeks it's not quite there.
"I'm trending in the right direction and happy the swing is feeling good this week and I'm making good scores."
The Island 17th green 🏝️#ThailandClassic pic.twitter.com/GHPZ1BlT4O
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) February 16, 2023
Italy's Fabrizio Zanotti shot four birdies, an eagle at the par-5 7th and a bogey at the par-4 16th for a 67 and solo second place at 11-under.
Japan's Kazuki Higa carded a bogey-free 64 to take a share of third place at 10-under alongside Danes Christoffer Bring (67) and Thorbjørn Olesen (67), South Africa's Thriston Lawrence (68) and Germany's Yannik Paul (69) and Alexander Knappe (69).
When you hate slow play 😂#ThailandClassic pic.twitter.com/p9hx7rWKMt
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) February 17, 2023
