Rose, Bjerregaard share 4-shot edge in Hong Kong; Poulter fades
Justin Rose and Lucas Bjerregaard were 1-2 heading into the weekend at the Hong Kong Open. After Saturday’s third round, they were also the top two players in the field, now tied for first and four clear of the field entering the final round.
The Dane shot 7-under 63 while Rose shot 64 to share the 54-hole lead on 15-under 195 at Hong Kong Golf Club. Bjerregaard had a one-shot edge entering the final hole, but his lone bogey on the day dropped him into a tie for the lead with the 2013 U.S. Open champion.
Rose, who has made just one bogey in 54 holes, had two eagles and two birdies in the third round.
”It was really a fun day playing with Lucas and flip-flopping birdies and eagles and stretching away from the rest of the field,” said Rose.
For the Dane, this is an opportunity not only to win, but also to exorcize the demons of the last time he played in the final group on Sunday on the European Tour. In December, Bjerregaard was in the final group of the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa when he shot an astounding 89 to go from second to 49th place.
Anirban Lahiri is alone in third at 11 under par, seeking a third European Tour win this season.
Meanwhile, Ian Poulter ran out of gas on Saturday. After pulling into third place after Friday, the Englishman, who made a dash around the world to play in this event and save his European Tour membership, shot 3-over 73 in the third round. The 2010 winner is now 11 behind heading into the final day of play.
”The tank was empty,” Poulter said, “and I’m really gutted.”
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
