Advertisement
In the lead: Li Haotong is in command heading into Sunday. Getty Images
European Tour

Incredible eagle sees Li soar past Rose in Turkey

The Chinese golfer leads the Turkish Airlines Open with 18 holes left thanks in part on an incredible eagle at the 10th.

AN INCREDIBLE EAGLE from Li Haotong put a dent in Justin Rose’s hopes of returning to world number one at the Turkish Airlines Open.

Rose had led by two strokes after 36 holes in Antalya, but Li surged into a three-shot advantage on Saturday, an unlikely eagle at the 10th helping him post an eight-under 63 and move to 17 under after 54.

The Chinese made the turn in 29 as he birdied five of the front nine holes, but the highlight came as he began the back nine, his approach appearing to settle in the thicker grass at the back of the green only to incredibly roll back into the cup.

Li lifted his arms in a mixture of joy and disbelief at the shot that gave him a two-shot lead, which he was able to extend with the final gain of a blemish-free performance at the 12th.

Rose now finds himself tied-second with Alexander Levy after an uneven display.

The Englishman had only dropped one shot through the opening two days but bogeyed four times as he carded a two-under 69.

Levy’s second successive 66 lifted him level with Rose at 14 under, with Thorbjorn Olesen on their tails as he goes into the final round a shot adrift.

“It’s going to be an exciting day tomorrow and I’m looking forward to going against Rosey,” Li, winner of the Dubai Desert Classic in January, said.

“I definitely got a lot of confidence from Dubai and since then I’ve been playing a lot of big events which has built my confidence, also.”

Sam Horsfield and Danny Willett are a shot further back at 12-under, with Thomas Aiken and Tommy Fleetwood six off the pace as the latter pursues Francesco Molinari in the Race to Dubai.

Paul Dunne is sitting on nine-under after a third-round 69, while Shane Lowry is a shot further back and Pádraig Harrington on seven-under.

Subscribe to our new podcast, Heineken Rugby Weekly on The42, here:

Your Voice
Readers Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel