Date: November 17, 2007
Author:

Karlsson charging towards victory

Robert Karlsson&aposs first bogey in three rounds failed to derail the Swede&aposs charge towards the Hong Kong Open title after he maintained his four-stroke lead over former champion Miguel Angel Jimenez at the Hong Kong Golf Club. The world number 45 dropped his only stroke in 54 holes at the par-four ninth to follow up his stunning back-to-back bogey-free 64s with a four-under-par 66 to take the largest lead in the history of the tournament into the final round after moving onto 16-under overall. Jimenez, winner at the Hong Kong Golf Club three years ago, also dropped his only shot of the round at the dog-leg ninth, which normally stands as a par five and has played as one of the toughest holes so far this week with only seven birdies during the third round. Marcus Fraser&aposs six-under-par 64, the equal best round on Saturday alongside Sweden&aposs Peter Hedblom, saw the Australian join first round leader KJ Choi, Karlsson&aposs World Cup playing partner Peter Hanson and India&aposs Shiv Kapur at 10-under in a tie for third place. Fellow Aussie Scott Strange fired four-under par round of 66, to be a further stroke back going into the final round. He is joined by Daniel Chopra – fresh from his maiden victory on the US PGA Tour victory at Ginn sur Mer Classic at the end of last month, and 2003 Masters Champion Mike Weir. Gary Simpson is another Australian doing well, currently in a tie for 10th place, after his round of 65 leaves him at nine-under overall.