Where eagles dare sees China’s Li is ready to go head-to-head against DJ
Dustin Johnson is expecting a difficult finalround duel against China’s Li Haotong after he produced four eagles yesterday to catch the American at the top of the inaugural Saudi International. World No. 3 Johnson came into the third round with a commanding three-shot lead after posting a sensational 61 at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on Friday.
But he was reined in on day three as Li carded four eagles – including three on the back nine – as well as two birdies and a double bogey in his 62 to join Johnson on 16-under-par heading into today’s final round.
The 2016 US Open champion had led by four strokes after making six birdies and a single bogey in his first 12 holes yesterday – but Li finished with a flourish, carding back-to-back eagles to grab a share of the lead.
The American said: “I thought I played well. I probably played just as well as I did yesterday. I gave myself a lot of opportunities.
“I made a lot of good putts but I just holed a few more yesterday than I did today. That’s the only difference.
“I heard about Li’s four eagles when I got done, that’s pretty impressive.
“Four eagles in a golf tournament is pretty good, but four in one round, take that any day.”
Johnson knows what he has to do in the final round.
He said: “For me, I just go out and play like I’ve been playing and, hopefully, can roll in a few more putts and see what I can do.
“Haotong is a good player. He’s obviously playing well right now. I think it’s going to be a tough match against him tomorrow for the most part. But I’m looking forward to it.”
The Chinese, who contentiously suffered a retrospective two-shot penalty last week in Dubai, was magnanimous in his summation of his day yesterday.
He said: “I think it’s very, very lucky today.
“Those eagles, especially the last couple of shots, were really solid. Except that, honestly, my play wasn’t that good. But I did make a lot of par putts.
“On the first, that ball, the lie, wasn’t that great, and firm grain. If it didn’t go in the hole, it could have been off the green. It’s very lucky eagle over there.
“On 10, that’s what I wanted to play but just felt like I pushed it a little bit. Got a lucky bounce, kicked it left and went in the hole, which is very lucky, too.
“On 17, that was a solid shot I hit, so six-foot eagle putt was a little bit nervous. Then the last was another lucky bounce.
“I mean, off the tee, I drove about two yards short to carry the bunker, and it bounced over it, which is lucky. I hit it into nineten feet. Yeah, that was solid putt, actually, quite excited on that one.
“I just want to play my best tomorrow, especially compared to last week.
“I just have to put myself in the position often and, hopefully, I get used to that feeling and play and enjoy myself on the final round.” Englishman Tom Lewis was the co-leaders’ nearest challenger on 11-under, after eight birdies in a spotless third-round 62.
Meanwhile, former Masters champion Sergio Garcia was disqualified on completion of his third round, admitting to damaging greens in frustration.
He said: “I respect the decision of my disqualification. In frustration, I damaged a couple of greens, for which I apologise, and I have informed my fellow players it will never happen again.”