Wu makes it a Happy New Year in the Dubai desert
Wu Ashun celebrated the Chinese New Year in style yesterday, as he carded a 67 that handed him a one-shot lead heading into today’s final round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
The Chinese holed out from the rough on the first for a spectacular eagle and added four birdies, before a bogey on the 16th dropped him to 11-under-par, one shot clear of Frenchman Victor Perez.
England’s Tom Lewis was in a share of third at nine-under, alongside Ryder Cup star and defending champion Bryson DeChambeau and another American in Kurt Kitayama.
Wu let out a cry of “Happy Chinese New Year” as he celebrated his incredible second shot on the par-four opener, and was happy to be out in front as he looks for a fourth European Tour win.
“That’s my ‘Happy Chinese New Year Shot’,” he said.
“I’m very comfortable and relaxed for the weekend and playing the final round. I’m always happy to play the final round in the final group.”
Lewis was bogey-free as he matched the lowest round of the week, so far, with a 65. He could have gone even lower, missing a putt for eagle after an excellent second on the par-five 18th.
“I’m really happy,” said Lewis. “I haven’t really shot many low scores around here, so to shoot that score is great.
“I missed a couple of opportunities. But I made a very good up-and-down on the 16th, so it kind of evens itself out.”
Perez came home in 31 as he carded a 67, three shots better than DeChambeau, who chipped in at the 12th and closed his round with a pair of birdies but also made four bogeys.
The Dundee-based Perez said: “Winning last season was obviously great. Being my first year it’s nice to get over the hump and tick that box off and it definitely frees me up when I play.
“Obviously it’s been a great run, I think I’ve done a really good job this off season preparing for the upcoming year with a lot of travel. Obviously it’s great to be in this position going into Sunday.”
America’s DeChambeau commented: “I’m actually hitting it surprisingly really, really well right now.
“I figured something out last night and I implemented it today and it worked beautifully, it was just a couple distance control things that kind of threw me off.
“So I’m going to go work on that, work on some putting, speed control, speed control was not good today and got to make sure that’s taut tomorrow.
“It would be incredible to defend.”
England’s Eddie Pepperell was at eight-under, a shot clear of countryman Tommy Fleetwood and two ahead of Open champion Shane Lowry and the highest-placed Scot in Grant Forrest.
Last year’s Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, Oban’s Bob MacIntyre lies on five-underpar following his third-round 67.
Scott Jamieson is the only other Scot under par, at twounder, in a share of 30th place.