Li Haotong in action on Saturday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
China's No. 1 Li Haotong and Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra remained deadlocked for a second-straight day atop the leaderboard during third-round play of the Volvo China Open on Saturday as each carded a two-under-par 69 to share a one-shot lead in Shanghai.
With both players on 12-under 201 at the $2.55 million tournament, a co-sponsored event between the DP World Tour and the China Tour, the two will play together again tomorrow in the final group of the 30th national championship at Enhance Anting Golf Club.
Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat shot a six-under 65 to move up the leaderboard to third. Finland's Tapio Pulkkanen, who led or had a share of the lead over the first two rounds, shot even-par 71 to sit equal fourth with China's Dou Zecheng (68) and German Yannik Paul (67) at two shots off the pace. England's Jordan Smith (67) was three shots back and a shot ahead of China's Wu Ashun (67) and Bai Zhengkai (67).
With three birdies over his first eight holes, Li, winner of the 2016 Volvo China Open, jumped to the top of the leaderboard at 13-under. After making the turn at three-under 32, the Hunan native dropped his first shot of the day when he made a bogey six at the 568-yard 10th hole. He would quickly rebound for a birdie three at the next before dropping another shot on the 12th hole. From there, he could only play par golf back to the clubhouse.
"It's kind of a strange day. I felt like everything's going my way until No. 10. Went into the wrong spot and still tried to be cute and ends up I lost some momentum a little bit. Just need to play better tomorrow," said Li, a winner in Qatar in February.
With a large gallery following his every move, Li said he enjoyed the support of the crowd.
"I know everyone is rooting for me so hopefully I deliver something special tomorrow … If I play my best golf no one else can catch me."
Eugenio Chacarra in action on Saturday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Chacarra was among those who did catch Li on a day where the lead changed hands several times. The Madrid native said his thumb, which he injured in the love grass on the 18th hole in round two, was still sore. Today, he played through his pain to card three birdies and a lone bogey at the 174-yard 12th hole.
"It's with the driver where I have more pain. I drove the ball terribly and it was a grind all day. I started not knowing if I was going to be able to finish, so I'm glad that I pushed through it to see if I could get a little better. It's way better than it was yesterday after the round," said Chacarra.
"This is (Li) Haotong's home course and I experienced today what it's like to play with him. I need to play my best level tomorrow to have a chance to win."
Kiradech Aphibarnrat in action on Saturday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Aphibarnrat, who has been winless on the DP World Tour since 2018, said he was really happy with how he had played the last few rounds in staying calm and patient. He carded six birdies today in his bogey-free round to move into contention.
"I'm really enjoying my game so far. I just need to beat everyone on the course, that's the job I need to do. I haven't thought about when my last win was. I think about when my next one is coming, I don't think it's far away."
Enhance Anting Golf Club is a 7,168-yard, par-71 layout designed by Robert Trent Jones II.
