Jan 28, 2017: Jeunghun Wang fired a brilliant bogey-free 65 to open up a three-shot lead heading into the final round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
The South Korean was one of a record-breaking nine players to come into day three with a share of the lead at Doha Golf Club and he burst out of that pack in spectacular fashion to move to 15 under, three shots clear of playing partner Jaco Van Zyl and Nacho Elvira.
Wang and Elvira could be set to renew their rivalry after the 21 year old beat the Spaniard in a play-off to win his maiden title at the Trophée Hassan II, with Elvira still looking for that first win.
Van Zyl is also looking for a first win on the European Tour and he joined Elvira in singing for a 68.
Another South African in Thomas Aiken was then at 11 under, a shot clear of Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello, Swede Joakim Lagergren and English duo Nathan Kimsey and Andy Sullivan.
Wang followed up his win in Morocco with another victory at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open just seven days later en route to being crowned the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, and he is showing no signs of a sophomore slump in the new campaign.
He hit his tee-shot to the third to four feet and another smart approach to the fifth got him into double figures.
His eagle putt on the ninth left him a tap-in birdie and he chipped in on the tenth before holing a 20-footer on the 11th to take control.
A run of four pars was to follow but he produced an excellent chip after just failing to drive the par four 16th and then played a smart lay-up to take advantage of the last.
“My iron play was really good today and my putting was really good,” he said. “I shot seven under and I’m so happy that I didn’t make any bogeys today.”
I don’t want to think about winning, I just want to focus on my own game. I have a good chance to win – Jeunghun Wang
Wang’s win in Mauritius came in windy conditions, much like you experience in Doha, and he believes that could be a help as he looks for a third Tour win.
“I think the wind is similar but the course design is quite different. I love to play this course so I’m excited to play it tomorrow.
“I don’t want to think about winning, I just want to focus on my own game. I have a good chance to win.”
Round three began with 44 players within four shots of the lead but by the end of the day that number was down to four.
Van Zyl was a picture of consistency in a bogey-free 68 picking up shots on the eighth, tenth, 14th and 16th, while Elvira was left to rue a ragged tee-shot on the 15th.
The 29 year old had birdies on the fourth – courtesy of a 40-footer – tenth, 11th and 14th before that shot off the tee resulted in a drop and a double-bogey, meaning his birdies on the 17th and 18th had to serve as a fightback.
Aiken turned in 36 but picked up shots on the tenth, 12th and 15th in his 69.
Qualifying School winner Kimsey and Cabrera Bello both signed for rounds of 66, with Lagergren recording a 67 and Aphibarnrat and Sullivan carding rounds of 70.
French duo Romain Langasque and Mike Lorenzo-Vera, and Ireland’s Paul Dunne were at nine under.
European Tour Release
