May 04, 2019: France’s Benjamin Hebert stunned the crowd with a sparkling eight-under-par 64 to snatch the third round lead, taking along a three-shot cushion into the final round of the Volvo China Open on Saturday.
Ajeetesh Sandhu shot three-under 69 in the penultimate round and lying at T39 as best played Indian. Ajeetesh carded four birdies and lone bogey to close at six-under total. Other fellow Indians in the field S.S.P Chawrasia and Khalin Joshi lying at T59 and 65th place after carding 72 and 78 respectively.
Finland’s Mikko Korhonen and Spain’s Jorge Campillio took advantage of China’s Wu Ashun’s slip-up by posting rounds of 65 and 68 respectively to share second place with their three-day total of 14-under-par 202 at the Genzon Golf Club.
Wu was left to rue four costly bogeys which saw him lose his grip on his overnight lead as he slipped to fourth place, four shots back of Hebert with a 72.
Wu had produced a flawless front-nine to open up a three shot lead then but dropped four consecutive shots starting from the 12th hole to relinquish his place atop the leaderboard.
Hebert started the day four shots behind Wu and was five back just after the turn but he stormed ahead by firing six birdies and an eagle on his back-nine to take over the lead.
Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena and Thailand’s Tirawat Kaewsiribandit meanwhile returned with matching 65s to give themselves an outside chance of winning in Shenzhen as they are eight shots back of Hebert, in a share of 14th place together with seven other players.
Asia Tour Release
