Alvaro Quiros edges past Y. E Yang and Rory McIlroy to grab lead in UBS Hong Kong Open
Spaniard Alvaro Quiros has now surged to the top of the leaderboard at the UBS Hong Kong Open in Fanling, after pulling in another stellar round of three-under, 67 on the third day of the event. Quiros, who was also the co-leader in the opening round alongside
Rory McIlroy and David Horsey, relied mostly on his first day round of 64 and is now, poised at an aggregate of 10-under, 200.
“I hit the ball great from the tee and to the green,” said five time European Tour winner Quiros. “But the putting was very, very poor. Obviously my length is always an advantage. If I'm able to hit the fairway on the second hole, I have great chances to
make a good birdie.”
Tournament favourite, McIlroy, who was also the first round leader, failed to impress the crowd on the third day, carding a level-par, 70. The Irishman started from the front nine, dropping two consecutive bogeys on par-three, 4th and par-four,
5th and lost his composure for the rest of the holes. He made the turn and was able to pull in just two birdies on the back nine. McIlroy, who is apparently chasing world number Luke Donald for the Race to Dubai Money List title, will have to outshine
the rest of the field on the final day to surge to the top. He is trailing the leader by three shots.
“It was one of those days where nothing much was happening, and it was nice to birdie a couple coming in to keep me in it. I'm only three behind, so if I can get off to a decent start tomorrow, I'm right back in it.” said the US Open champion.
Quiros’ Ryder Cup compatriot Peter Hanson also had a brilliant day at the Hong Kong Golf Club, carding a third round score of five-under, 65. He is now pitched for an outright second. Hanson pulled in six birdies and dropped just one shot in the 18-hole
stretch.
2009 PGA Championship winner Y. E Yang, who soared to the top earlier in the day, is now settled at joint third along with Thai player Pariya Junhasavasdikul. Yang also carded a round of five-under, 65.
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