Chinese star Li in control as he chases victory in Munich
BMW INTERNATIONAL OPEN
Li Haotong yesterday seized a three-shot lead with a fine 67 to head into today’s BMW International Open’s final round in full control.
The Chinese star has hogged the lead at the end of every round in Munich, with his 20-underpar score yesterday leaving him three shots clear of Belgium’s Thomas Pieters.
Li tied the course record with 62 in a remarkable opening round on Thursday, before carding 67 on Friday for a one-shot lead.
But yesterday’s third round handed Li a bigger advantage over the rest of the field, thanks to the likes of a chip-in eagle at the sixth.
“I was a lot more comfortable than I thought. I’m quite surprised. Just another great day again. Germany has been treating me very good so far.
“I didn’t expect an eagle on six, and didn’t expect that birdie on 15 as well. I didn’t expect the driver on the last to hit a tree, but to be fair, I pulled it a little bit. It was just another perfect day for me.
“On six we were talking about that with my caddie. I had three eagles in a row, the chip today I thinned a little bit and I thought it was going off the green – somehow it managed to go in. It’s just golf.
“Last time when I won in Dubai I was playing with Rory, and I thought I was trying to finish second that week. There’s no expectation.
“Even today, I played great. I still have a three-shot lead but tomorrow will be a tough day. I just need to hang on in there.”
Pieters’ eagle and four birdies ensured he would sit alone in second place, one shot clear of Jordan Smith.
Englishman Smith extended a consistent week with his second round of 67, to remain right in contention, just four shots off the lead.
He said: “I want to play as good as I can and try to hunt down Haotong, try to get as close as possible.
“If it happens to be that I get in The Open then it’s a bonus, if not, it’s not the end of the world.
“I’ll just do what I’ve done the last three days and see what happens.”
Richie Ramsay is the top Scot, in a tie for 21st, but he is 10 shots back of Li. Ewen Ferguson is a shot further back and Craig Howie is at one-under-par.