China’s Li charges three strokes clear in Turkey

BELEK, Turkey: China’s Li Haotong is set to create European Tour history after seizing a threeshot lead heading into the final round of the Turkish Open in Belek.

Li, 23, brilliantly holed his second shot for eagle at the 10th and managed six birdies in a blistering eight-under par 63 on Saturday to move to 17-under on the Regnum Carya course.

Defending champion Justin Rose (69) and Frenchman Alexander Levy (66) share second place on 14-under par.

Li commenced his round sharing fifth place and trailing three shots behind Rose but moved one stroke clear of the field with five birdies over his opening nine holes.

The Shanghai-born Li then stood in complete surprise, and with both arms outstretched, when his 8-iron second shot from 173 yards out at the par-4 10th hole ran up the back upward portion of the green only to then roll back down the slope and into the cup.

The 50th-ranked Li then increased his lead to four strokes when he birdied the par-5 12th hole.

“The eagle was the highlight of my day, for sure, and that was quite a special moment for myself,” he said smiling.

“I saw I was leading on the leaderboard and it was quite exciting at that time. I started to think about, yeah, if I make a couple birdies, it’s going to be perfect for tomorrow, but to finish like that is good enough for me.”

Earlier this year, Li claimed a second Tour title in denying Rory McIlroy victory in the Dubai Desert Classic.

Now Li, a management stablemate to the likes of Tiger Woods, Matt Kuchar and Rose, is set to become the first Chineseborn golfer to win twice in a European Tour season.

He would also join countryman Wu Ashun as only the second golfer from China to win three times on the Tour after Li claimed a maiden triumph at the 2016 China Open.

“I definitely got a lot of confidence from beating Rory and since then I have been playing a lot of big events, which has built my confidence also,” said Li.

“It’s going to be an exciting day for tomorrow, and looking forward to go against Rosey.”

Rose’s goal of returning to world number one with victory along the Turkish Mediterranean was a third-day cocktail of six birdies, including three in succession from the fourth hole, but soured by four bogeys.

He sent a ball into the water at the 10th and then ended his round with a dropped shot after finding water off the tee.

“I haven’t driven the ball well all week,” he said.