Frenchman Dubuisson leads Turkish Open
World number 108 opens five-shot lead in the third round, as Tiger Woods ties for third place with Henrik Stenson.
France’s Victor Dubuisson has stolen the show by charging into a five-shot lead after the the third round of the Turkish Airlines Open.
The 23-year old world number 108, who has never won on the European Tour, got four birdies in his opening four holes on Saturday, helping to propel him to a bogey-free round of 63, as Tiger Woods has kept himself in the mix despite three bogeys on the back nine.
Dubuisson moved to 21-under 195 to distance himself from the field.
Ian Poulter was alone in second after a 68, after he picked up another couple of shots on his way in – including a birdie at the last for 68. He is now 16 under overall and in outright second place.
Meanwhile, Woods and Henrik Stenson were among four players sitting another shot back.
“I will try not to think about tomorrow as it would put too much pressure on myself,” Dubuisson said.
“But I know Tiger and Henrik will shoot very low scores, so I have to keep the same strategy.
Woods had three birdies on the front nine but then mixed three birdies with three bogeys in a six-hole stretch starting at the 11th.
The American was looking to make his move after firing a 63 on Friday but lost his way after a bright start.
Birdies from trees
At the 11th he was in the trees, but still managed to make a birdie.
Woods was in the trees again at the last, but somehow he extricated himself and holed this putt for a four and a round of 68 – 15 under par overall and third on the leaderboard.
Woods hurt his right hand when his club hit a tree at number 10, but he said he would not need any treatment.
“My arm is a little tender. I smoked it on something. I don’t know what I hit but I hit something hard,” Woods said. “I just dealt with it.”
Stenson, the man’s who’s leading the Race to Dubai , holed this birdie putt at the 14th, and was again in form with the putter on the next green.
The Swede though spoiled his card with a bogey on the par five last – a round of 69 and 15 under par overall.
US Open champion Justin Rose – one of those in contention for the Race to Dubai rankings – made a late surge, with three birdies in the last four holes.
The Englishman carded a round of 67 – five under par – to leave him in a tie for eighth on thirteen under par overall.