DUSTIN JOHNSON CHARGED into a handsome six-shot lead at the $9.75 million WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai on Saturday after an anticipated battle with close friend Brooks Koepka failed to materialise.
Paul Dunne, meanwhile, continued his rich vein of form to bounce back from yesterday’s 73 with a two-under par third round to sit in a tie for 12th, 11 shots off the lead.
In breezy conditions Johnson’s four-under-par 68 stretched his one-shot overnight lead on his fellow American, who shot an error-strewn 73, leaving the world number one in pole position for the final day on Sunday.
Third at Sheshan International Golf Club, on 206 overall and seven shots off the imperious Johnson, was last year’s runner-up Henrik Stenson of Sweden.
The American Brian Harman and Englishman Justin Rose, the Rio 2016 Olympic champion, were joint fourth.
Johnson and Koepka live near one another in Florida and are fishing and gym buddies.
But the niceties were left in the clubhouse and reigning US Open champion Koepka was immediately on the front foot, grabbing a birdie at the first while Johnson carded just his third bogey of the week.
That immediately wiped out Johnson’s slender overnight lead and was the first of three birdies on the spin for the 27-year-old Koepka to propel him briefly into the lead.
But that was as good as it got for Koepka.
Johnson made birdies at holes two, four, seven and then at eight, where Koepka’s challenge faltered badly with a horror triple bogey.
The 33-year-old Johnson, the 2013 Shanghai champion and 2016 US Open winner, made the turn having opened up a four-shot lead on his rival.
Johnson gave a subtle shake of the head after a double bogey at the par-four 10th, but Koepka failed to capitalise with a bogey of his own and Johnson was always in control after that despite the tricky wind.
Hideki Matsuyama, the reigning champion from Japan, had another poor day with a 72 to leave him firmly out of the reckoning.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s Seamus Power is just two shots off the lead at the Sanderson Farms Championship with play suspended during the third round.
The Waterford native carded five birdies to head into the weekend well in contention for his first PGA Tour victory. America’s Ryan Armour is currently setting the pace.
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Fair play to him taking these chances and holding his place. He will be tested in the air as will Lowe and Larmour this weekend but we’ll able to ride it out.
It’s great to see players using the 7′s area as a way to add new strings to their bow. He has had a really good season and with he opportunities given by Leo has grabbed them with both hands.
Hopefully he continues to get better.
Such a pity they couldn’t celebrate properly. A lot of dry legs in McSorleys that night.
Great player with all the required skills. Himself & Shane Daly will be pushing Larmour hard for the Ireland 15 shirt after next season.
@Daithí O’ Donnabhain: I’d say its between Stockdale Larmour and Conway
@Rudiger McMonihan: yup between those 3 for now, but Keenan & Daly both have what it takes to challange if they stay fit & in form.
Larmour is being backed by Leinster & Ireland as our 15. Can’t see Conway at 15, Munster won’t play him there & need him more on the wing. Stockdale is being tried @ 15 up North, so with more experience he’s definitely an option. Keenan & Daly will definitely come into the mix though. Stockdale & Keenan are both 24 & Larmour & Daly both 23, some excellent quality from those four to build on, plus they all cover fullback & wing.
@Daithí O’ Donnabhain: they are great in the air and defence but dont offer enough in attack for me. Farrell and whoever succeeds him might not be looking for that style of FB though. I must admit, I thought stockdale was older than that. Its amazing how much hes accomplished becoming one of the senior ulster players and a nailed on irish starter in such a short period.
Fastest player in Leinster apparently !
100% a winger