DP World Tour : Singapore Classic Leaderboard
Jeunghun Wang holds a share of the lead heading into the final round of the 2023 Singapore Classic after producing a brilliant burst of scoring on the back nine on Saturday.
The 27-year-old had been four shots off the lead at the halfway stage but fired a third-round 66, which featured five successive birdies from the 12th, to lead the way alongside Alejandro del Rey on 14 under par.
Spaniard Del Rey, who played in the same group as Wang on Moving Day, carded an eagle, seven birdies and three bogeys in his 66.
Englishman Richard Mansell was one shot behind the co-leaders after posting a flawless 65, while first-round leader Tom McKibbin, Nathan Kimsey, Sami Välimäki and Marcel Schneider were another stroke further back.
Wang is just six events into his DP World Tour return after around two years away, having completed his mandatory military service in South Korea, but it has not taken the three-time winner long to get back up to speed.
After a quiet front nine that contained a birdie at the par-five third and eight pars, Wang's round sprang into life as he got to the 12th.
He reeled off a hat-trick of birdies at the 12th, 13th and 14th before making it four in a row from around ten feet on the 15th.
And after his approach at the 16th landed just off the green, he holed his putt from the fringe to grab a share of the lead on 14 under.
The run came to an end as Wang bogeyed the short 17th but he bounced back with a birdie at the last.
He said: "I think I played really well today and the last two days as well. I changed my putter two weeks ago and that has worked really well. I think that’s the reason I’ve played so well.
"I didn’t really think about birdies. I just kept playing, aiming at the flag and it worked.
"I still cannot believe I'm here. I’m really excited to play every event.
"I'm not thinking about winning right now. I’ll just play my own game tomorrow and hopefully it will work."
Del Rey, who in 2021 shot a historic 58 on the European Challenge Tour, started his third round strongly on Saturday, opening up with three consecutive birdies.
He sandwiched another birdie between bogeys at the ninth and 11th before going birdie-eagle-birdie from the 12th to surge into contention.
And although he bogeyed the 16th, a closing birdie means Del Rey goes into the final round with a share of the lead.
He said: "It’s a place that suits me pretty well and it’s about dropping the putts.
"They’ve dropped pretty well so far. I hope to continue tomorrow."
edit***
Canadian Aaron Cockerill could be playing here this week, but is happily at home near Winnipeg with his wife and sometimes caddy Chelsea with their brand new daughter Addison, the couples first child.
There has been no announcement about his return but I would think when he ever gets ready, the Magical Kenya Open March 9-12 where he was T2 last year would be about right.
europeantour.com
Bryan Angus (edit)
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