| Irishman McGrane takes three-stroke lead into finale of China Open
Damien McGrane of Ireland shot a 4-under 68 to take a three-stroke lead after the third round of the Volvo China Open on Saturday. The $2.2 million tournament is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Asian Tour.
McGrane had birdies on the final two holes for a 205 total, three strokes ahead of rookie Michael Lorenzo-Vera (72) and Oliver Wilson (70). Lorenzo-Vera led after each of the first two rounds on the CBD International Course.
Scott Strange had the best round of the day, shooting a 6-under 66 to put him five shots behind McGrane. Defending champion Markus Brier had a 72, seven shots off the pace.
McGrane had seven birdies and three bogeys. He was seeking his first victory after a runner-up finish at the Indian Masters in February.
"I have been close for a number of years now and I am looking for my first win," McGrane said. "I have to start somewhere and you start with one. The sooner it comes the better."
Wilson had five birdies and three bogeys.
Lorenzo-Vera, whose two birdies were canceled by two bogeys, was seeking his first title in his first year on Tour.
McGrane's putting was impressive throughout and he picked up his first birdie of the round on the par-3 third when he hit a 5-iron to the green before chipping in. He then added two more at the fourth and fifth before following that up with two successive bogeys.
He hit two more birdies and a bogey after the turn and then finished the round strongly with birdie putts on the 17th and 18th.
"It is nice to go out as leader and a little cushion is good," added McGrane. "However, it is a tough course and I must play my own game and focus on what I am doing. It will be a good day tomorrow and I expect to continue the good golf I am playing."
Wilson made the ideal start with a birdie on the par-4 first and then picked up another shot on the third. He bogeyed the par-4 fourth but recovered with a birdie at the following hole and the 27-year-old then shot two birdies against two bogeys coming home to go 8 under overall.
"I was just a little unfortunate that I didn't take advantage of a few of the shots I missed," said Wilson. "There were three short ones today which I should not have missed, but I recovered well and it is good to know that I am still not too far away."
Lorenzo-Vera was unable to take the clubhouse lead for the third successive day after his worst round of the week. The Frenchman bogeyed the par-4 second and though he birdied on the 12th and 13th he again carded another bogey on the par-4 14th.
David Howell finished 1 under par after carding double bogeys on the 17th and 18th and was even par overall. |