Dubai: South Africa’s Jbe Kruger carded a 64 with a hole in one and an eagle to share a four-way lead at ten under par heading into the final round of the Asian Tour’s season-ending Dubai Open at The Els Club on Saturday.
India’s Arjun Atwal, Shiv Kapur and South Korea’s Wang Jeung-hun also share the lead one stroke clear of six players all tied for second at nine under. They are - Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, Pariya Junhasavasdikul, India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke, Scotland’s Simon Yates and Japan’s Daisuke Kataoka.
Kruger had climbed from two under par tied for 29th after opening rounds of 70 and 72, after a hole in one, eagle, birdie and two bogeys on his outward nine, followed by six birdies and a bogey on his return. He said his sudden burst of form bodes well for the final round.
“After making a hole in one on the second, I knew there was something special in store for me today,” said Kruger, who has had two top 10 finishes in nine Asian Tour events this season, and has only won once on tour at the Avantha Masters in 2012.
“I still hit a lot of poor shots. I think I probably only made four putts inside 10 feet today. So, there’s still plenty of work to do but I’m really confident.
“I’m glad I’m in contention to actually try and win, but it comes down to the last round and putting at the end of the day. The guy who putts best on the last day mostly wins, so hopefully the putts drop tomorrow [Sunday].”
Kapur had been tied for first at seven under par after round two with opening rounds of 71 and 66. He made up three strokes to maintain his joint lead on Saturday with a 68, recovering from two opening bogeys with five birdies on his return.
Atwal meanwhile, had risen from tied for third at six under par after round two with opening rounds of 73 and 65. He made up four strokes to assume joint lead with a third round 68 after four birdies and two bogeys on his front nine and two birdies on his return.
Wang also shot a third round 68 to climb from tied for third at six under par after opening rounds of 71 and 67. His third round saw him card three birdies and a bogey on either nine.
There are 21 players all within three strokes of each other and the title heading into the final day as the field bunches. But odds may well be in Kapur’s favour having shared joint lead now for two rounds. He’s also a resident of Dubai and won the European Challenge Tour’s season-ending event – The Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final at Al Badia – in its inaugural staging here in 2012.