Yang finds fairways for one-shot lead in Suzhou
April 18, 2010, Sunday
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ASIA'S first major winner Yang Yong-eun put his trust in his driver yesterday and cut through gusting winds at the Volvo China Open, co-sanctioned by OneAsia and the European Tour, to move to the top of the third-round leaderboard with a bogey-free 68.
The South Korean, one of only three players not to card a bogey in difficult conditions at the Suzhou Jinji Lake International Golf Club, holds a one-shot lead over Jamie Donaldson of Wales and Finn Mikko Ilonen going into the final round.
Blustery breezes made the links-style holes particularly difficult for the players. Toughest of all was the 492-yard par-four 18th, playing straight into the wind.
Several players strayed into fairway bunkers, while US Ryder captain Corey Pavin took his driver off the fairway but still pulled up short.
Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee probably lost his chance of the title when he needed three shots to move his ball out of the rough on the right.
"It's a very tough hole," said Yang. "I was in the sand on day one but I saved my par. My strategy is to aim left and come in over the left-hand greenside bunker.
"Luckily my driver is working well and I've been able to find the exact spot I'm looking for on the fairway."
Yang seemed untroubled by forecasts of bad weather today.
"If it rains or is windy you need extra attention and focus," he said. "My approach will be just to concentrate on each shot I make."
The lead changed hands throughout the day, with Yang, Donaldson, Ilonen and overnight leader Kim Do-hoon of South Korea all finding themselves on top.
The low round of the day came from Welshman Rhys Davies, whose bogey-free 65 included eagles on both the par-fives on the back nine and lifted him 53 places up the leaderboard. At eight-under-par he is six shots off the lead.
Countryman Stephen Dodd, who was playing alongside European Ryder captain Colin Montgomerie, was the day's other player to avoid a bogey and climbed the leaderboard with a 66 that left him tied for fifth with Kim on 10-under.
Chinese No. 1 Liang Wenchong was seven shots off the pace after a 73.
Liang, who won OneAsia's season-opening Luxehills Chengdu Open two weeks ago, conceded he had only an outside chance of winning the title he cherishes so dearly.
"What a pity. I didn't play badly, but it was one of those days when things don't go your way. Yang is on 14-under, so seven shots is a large margin to make up," said the crowd favorite.
"I'll try my best, but to be honest my best chance is ? next year."
Yang, 38, was excited about the prospect of winning China's national Open in Suzhou after memorably beating Tiger Woods to win the 2006 HSBC Champions in nearby Shanghai.
"China has always been a lucky place for me. Right now, everything's coming quite easily, although I did well to save par several times today, especially considering the wind," said Yang, who also won the Honda Classic on last year's PGA Tour.
Yang revealed that he planned to open a golf academy on the Chinese mainland. "It would be a great honor to win the Volvo China Open, especially as another victory would help my profile in China. I plan to open a golf academy in China in the future. It's a great market."
Ilonen birdied three of the first four holes. "I had a quick start, but it was a little up and down after that," said the 30-year-old, who captured the Indonesia Open and Scandinavia Masters in 2007.
The South Korean, one of only three players not to card a bogey in difficult conditions at the Suzhou Jinji Lake International Golf Club, holds a one-shot lead over Jamie Donaldson of Wales and Finn Mikko Ilonen going into the final round.
Blustery breezes made the links-style holes particularly difficult for the players. Toughest of all was the 492-yard par-four 18th, playing straight into the wind.
Several players strayed into fairway bunkers, while US Ryder captain Corey Pavin took his driver off the fairway but still pulled up short.
Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee probably lost his chance of the title when he needed three shots to move his ball out of the rough on the right.
"It's a very tough hole," said Yang. "I was in the sand on day one but I saved my par. My strategy is to aim left and come in over the left-hand greenside bunker.
"Luckily my driver is working well and I've been able to find the exact spot I'm looking for on the fairway."
Yang seemed untroubled by forecasts of bad weather today.
"If it rains or is windy you need extra attention and focus," he said. "My approach will be just to concentrate on each shot I make."
The lead changed hands throughout the day, with Yang, Donaldson, Ilonen and overnight leader Kim Do-hoon of South Korea all finding themselves on top.
The low round of the day came from Welshman Rhys Davies, whose bogey-free 65 included eagles on both the par-fives on the back nine and lifted him 53 places up the leaderboard. At eight-under-par he is six shots off the lead.
Countryman Stephen Dodd, who was playing alongside European Ryder captain Colin Montgomerie, was the day's other player to avoid a bogey and climbed the leaderboard with a 66 that left him tied for fifth with Kim on 10-under.
Chinese No. 1 Liang Wenchong was seven shots off the pace after a 73.
Liang, who won OneAsia's season-opening Luxehills Chengdu Open two weeks ago, conceded he had only an outside chance of winning the title he cherishes so dearly.
"What a pity. I didn't play badly, but it was one of those days when things don't go your way. Yang is on 14-under, so seven shots is a large margin to make up," said the crowd favorite.
"I'll try my best, but to be honest my best chance is ? next year."
Yang, 38, was excited about the prospect of winning China's national Open in Suzhou after memorably beating Tiger Woods to win the 2006 HSBC Champions in nearby Shanghai.
"China has always been a lucky place for me. Right now, everything's coming quite easily, although I did well to save par several times today, especially considering the wind," said Yang, who also won the Honda Classic on last year's PGA Tour.
Yang revealed that he planned to open a golf academy on the Chinese mainland. "It would be a great honor to win the Volvo China Open, especially as another victory would help my profile in China. I plan to open a golf academy in China in the future. It's a great market."
Ilonen birdied three of the first four holes. "I had a quick start, but it was a little up and down after that," said the 30-year-old, who captured the Indonesia Open and Scandinavia Masters in 2007.
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