Benjamin Hebert of France is one step closer to winning his first European Tour title after a stunning third round 64 (-8) saw him take a three-shot lead into the final round of the RMB 20 million 25th Volvo China Open at Genzon Golf Club in Shenzhen.
A remarkable back nine of 28 saw the Frenchman storm to the top of the leaderboard on 17-under-par to lead from Finland’s Mikko Korhonen and Spaniard Jorge Campillo on 14-under with overnight leader Wu Ashun of China one shot further back in fourth place on 13-under.
Hebert’s blistering back nine included three birdies and an eagle on the last four holes to give himself the first 54-hole lead of his career on the European Tour. Yet despite being in unknown territory, the 32-year-old is calm going into the final round
“Yes, this is a first time for me but it’s what I work for,” said Hebert, who rolled in seven birdies and an eagle in a round that simply exploded after a quiet, level-par front nine.
“I’m very happy with the way I focused on my game as I ‘ve been working on this aspect for two years. The front nine was a little up-and-down and, in the past, this might have made me nervous but I remained focused and got the rhythm on the back nine. It’s incredible but that’s golf.”
From four shots back at the start of play to three shots ahead with 18 holes remaining, it was a powerful performance from Hebert who refuses to get ahead of himself going into the final round of China’s National Open Championship.
“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow and I don’t want to make any sort of plan,” said the winner of six Challenge Tour titles. “It’s an early start so let’s just see what happens.”
While Hebert dreams of his maiden European Tour title, for 38-year-old Korhonen the chance of winning a second also remains within reach after firing eight birdies in a round of 65 (-7) that saw him take the lead prior to Hebert’s charge.
“It was good today – I hit the ball better and made the birdie chances happen,” said the Finn. “I didn’t realise I had a chance to be in the lead until I saw the leaderboard on the last. I was patient – I have been all week – and I’ll try to keep that up tomorrow. It might be a wet day so patience will be the key again.”
Campillo’s ambitions of back-to-back Tour wins following last week’s victory in Morocco are also very much alive after a third round 68 (-4). The Spaniard has made fewer bogeys than anyone else in the field in Shenzhen and needs another clean round if he is to overhaul Hebert.
“I didn’t putt as well as the first two days but overall it was a very good round,” said Campillo. “I wish I could make more putts but it was good as I have a chance tomorrow. It was exciting for the crowd as they brought the 18th tee box up, which provided you with chances for eagle or birdie. I hope to use my experience from last week to win but if Benjamin plays like he did today, then it’s tough.”
Record crowds have been looking for a home victory this week and they were out in force following Wu. But it was a stuttering day for the 2015 Volvo China Open champion as a four-shot lead was quickly lost following four consecutive bogeys on the back nine in a disappointing round of level par 72.
“I had a very good start but got into trouble on the back-nine,” said the 33-year-old. “I hit some really bad tee shots, making it tough for myself to save par. When I finished playing the 15th, I told myself I had a good chance of making birdies in the last three holes and I was happy I managed to birdie 16. The crowds were great and I’m very happy to see so many of them out here this week.”
With Wu just four shots off the lead, a fifth Chinese win remains a possibility, while other home favourites continue to impress. The 2016 champion and World No. 39 Li Haotong shares eighth place seven shots off the lead on -10, while Jin Cheng (-9), 17-year-old Volvo Amateur Champion Liang Enqi (-8), Liang Wenchong (-6) and 14-year-old Shenzhen schoolboy Kuang Yang (-6) are all underlining the strength of golf in China.
Due to the possibility of severe weather, the final day’s play in the 25th Volvo China Open will begin at 7.20am today (May 5) with players playing in three-ball groups and from both the first and 10th tees. The last tee time for the leading group will be 9.21am on hole one.