Finch Flies to Top of Volvo China Open Leaderboard

18/04/2009

With record crowds raising the roof on some sensational scoring on the penultimate day of the 2009 Volvo China Open, Englishman Richard Finch leads the way going into the final round by a single shot from his friend Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño, with 2006 champion Markus Brier and Australian debutant Ashely Hall sitting menacing on five-under.

Meanwhile, the Beijing CBD International Golf Club course record was lowered then equalled twice within an hour of one of the most electrifying days play in the 15-year history of China’s national open golf championship.

Day three of four at the 2009 Volvo China Open saw the numbers add up amid a deluge of birdies and a volley of eagles as record galleries approaching 10,000 raised the roof in one of the most enthralling days play in the history of the Volvo China Open.

Leading the field going into the final round is Englishman Richard Finch, six birdies in-a-row around the turn the basis of a fine 66, the two-time winner last year on course for a hat-trick of European Tour titles if he can hold his form into the final day.

“I’m delighted with the way I played,” said Finch, adding, “It was a slow start then I got on that run of six birdies in a row which made it into a great round.

“But,” the tournament leader insisted, “I’m not one to make game plans because there are so many variable; where the pins are, the weather, wind direction [but] I won’t be thinking of any of that tonight.”

Meanwhile Finch’s former amateur rival, close friend and playing partner, Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño is firmly on the coattails of the Englishman, a solid four-under-par 68 taking the man from Madrid to just one behind Finch, an eagle at the 13th turning a good round into a great one for the man who already has a victory on Asian soil at the 2006 Asian Open in Shanghai.

“It was a good day and I was very happy to make a birdie on the last hole to take me to within a shot of Richard, who I enjoy playing with,” said the 27-year-old Spaniard, adding, “It is always exciting when your playing partner is on a charge as you can benefit from that energy, which I did on the back nine.”

Three shots off the lead are Australian Volvo China Open debutant Ashley Hall, who chipped-in at the 18th hole for a course record equalling 65, the previous low mark of 66 having been lowered less than an hour earlier by New Zealander Mark Brown.

“It was great to get myself back into contention and equalling the course record was a bonus,” said the Australian, who is joined on five-under-par by 2007 Volvo China Open champion Markus Brier as the man from Vienna looks to become the first man to have his name engraved twice on the Volvo China Open.

Four players are on the fringes of contention, Thai star Chapchai Nirat who carded a low-key level-par 72, Englishman David Dixon with an excellent third round 67, 2000 Volvo China Open champion Simon Dyson and the dangerous Scott Strange who saw his 2008 course record go.

Meanwhile, both Chinese number-one Liang Wenchong and his playing partner over all four days, Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie are on level-par and will have to set-off some fireworks on the final round if they are to contend.

New Zealander Mark Brown, whose course record 65 was set before lunchtime said afterwards, “The course was there for the taking in the morning, but you still have to make the shots, and my iron play was the key today, getting the ball consistently close.”

The leading contenders go out from 11.27am onwards, starting with Liang Wenchong / Colin Montgomerie pairing and the Finch / Fernandez-Castaño leading pair teeing-off at 12.39pm; with fair weather forecast and admission free of charge, record galleries an electric atmosphere and an enthralling day’s golf should be the order of the day.

Richard Finch of England, leading after round 3 of the 2009 Volvo China Open (-8)

Concept by Meridian