Frittelli storms into lead in China Open
South African cards bogey-free eight-under to take a three-shot lead; Blixt-Smith leads Zurich Classic as top teams miss the cut
Dylan Frittelli continued his impressive recent form yesterday after carding a bogey-free eightunder-par 64 to take a threeshot lead into the final day of the China Open.
Challenge Tour graduate Frittelli, who finished a season best tied for fifth at Shenzhen last week, followed up his clubhouse record-equalling 63 at Topwin Golf and Country Club on Friday with a eight birdies to finish 19-under.
Overnight leader Pablo Larrazabal stretched the lead to four shots early in the day but two bogeys on the front nine saw him slip behind the South African Frittelli, who is in search of his first European Tour title.
“I like to think I would keep the same game plan tomorrow and maybe adjust on the back nine depending on the situation,” Frittelli said.
“Pablo played great out there today as well. He’s not going to lie down, he is one of the toughest guys to get into a dog fight with on the European Tour. So I’m definitely going to be wary of him tomorrow.”
The 33-year-old Spaniard recovered with three consecutive birdies from the 10th to post 70 on day three, the nearest challenger on the leaderboard. He was followed by 2014 winner Alexander Levy of France at 12-underpar for the tournament.
Meanwhile, the team of Jonas Blixt and Cameron Smith fired two eagles and six birdies en route to a 62 in the better ball second round of the Zurich Classic on Friday, taking a one-shot lead in the US PGA Tour event.
Americans Patrick Reed and Patrick Cantlay also carded a 62 and were one back on 130.
Some of the biggest names in the tournament, however, won’t be around for the weekend. Australian Jason Day and US teammate Rickie Fowler missed the cut, as did England’s Justin Rose and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, who teamed up after taking gold and silver at the Rio Olympics last year.