SHANGHAI: Francesco Molinari held off a dogged Lee Westwood on Saturday to maintain a one-stroke lead over the new world number one and set up an enticing final-round battle at the HSBC Champions in China.
The Italian, ranked 30th in the world, answered every challenge from his English playing partner and Ryder Cup teammate on day three in Shanghai with a smart, conservative game to card a five-under 67.
The Italian, who stands just 1.72 cm (five feet eight inches) tall, helped his cause with some sparkling shots including an approach from about 150 yards on the par-4 13th that landed on the green and rolled in for an eagle.
Earlier, Molinari cancelled out a Westwood birdie on the par-five eighth – which would have pulled the Englishman level – by dropping a wedge shot two feet from the pin from about 120 yards out to bag a birdie of his own. Molinari shot a five-under 67 for the round to go to 14 strokes under par for the tournament.
A victory here would be just the second of his career. Westwood, getting back in the swing after only sporadic recent play due to a nagging leg injury, shot a bogey-free 67 to keep the pressure on Molinari throughout the day.
Westwood was followed on the leaderboard by compatriots Luke Donald at 10 under and Ross Fisher two strokes further back. Last year’s runner-up and crowd favourite Ernie Els of South Africa could not match his second round 65 but still joined Fisher for a share of fourth place after shooting a one-under 71.
Meanwhile, world number two Tiger Woods’ troubles continued, with the sport’s superstar still unable to find a rhythm in his first tournament in five years without the top ranking.
Westwood knocked him from the top last week. Woods carded a 73 to go to three under for the tournament – 11 strokes off the pace and hope fading fast for his first tournament win of the year.
The American has struggled since his serial philandering was revealed a year ago, wrecking his marriage and leading to a five-month hiatus from the game. Woods said he was still adjusting to swing changes under new coach Sean Foley. “I warm up pretty good, but then on the golf course when I have to hit certain shots or I don’t feel comfortable, I kind of revert back to my old stuff,” he said.
Westwood will retain his ranking with a higher finish than Woods, world number three Martin Kaymer of Germany and fourth-ranked Phil Mickelson of the United States.
The latter three all entered the tournament with a chance to take the world’s top ranking if they won. Kaymner was at one under for the tournament while defending champ Mickelson was at even par.
