Duo Share Lead in Hong Kong

UBS Hong Kong Open – Round 3 News

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Duo Share Lead in Hong Kong

Campbell's 'Hilarious' Accident

Scores


Duo Share Lead in Hong Kong

Michael Campbell cards a 69

HONG KONG, Nov 17, 2012 (AFP) - Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez, bidding to become the oldest player to win on the European Tour, grabbed a share of the lead after the third round at the $2 million UBS Hong Kong Open on Saturday.

He was 10-under-par 200 for the tournament, level with the overnight leader, Michael Campbell. Matteo Manassero, winner of the Barclays Singapore Open last week and less than half Jimenez's age, moved ominously into contention with six-under 64.

The Italian, 19, was joint third with China's Zhang Lianwei, a shot behind the co-leaders. Next up, another shot adrift, was Swede Fredrik Andersson Hed. Peter Lawrie of Ireland and the Dane Anders Hansen were three off the leaders.

With world number one Rory McIlroy on the plane home after failing to make the cut, the 48-year-old Jimenez made his move on the Kiwi Campbell, who is hitting the kind of form that saw him lift the US Open in 2005.

Jimenez, who carded a 68, is chasing a hat-trick of titles at the Hong Kong Open, which is co-sanctioned between the European Tour and Asian Tour. He was also victorious at Fanling in 2004 and 2007.

"Today was a bit scrappy," said Campbell, who clung onto the joint lead with a 15-foot putt on the 18th to save par.

"I managed to grind out a score, which is important when you are not playing so well. I turned a 73 into a 69, which is always nice, and I've still got a chance to win tomorrow.

"Miguel has played some great golf once again. He's obviously won this twice before, so he's the man to beat, and also Matty (Manassero) is playing some great golf again after winning last week, then there is the local favourite Zhang."

Manassero, whose scorching 64 included an eagle at the 13th and five birdies, said: "Everything is coming together. Last week really made me relax a lot on the golf course.

"These three rounds and my position coming into this Sunday are certainly due to last week (victory in Singapore) and what happened last week. I've got more freedom.

"I'm just more relaxed on the golf course and I take it the way it comes," added the rising star, who had said he was suffering from fatigue after his heroics in Singapore, where he triumphed after three play-off holes.

"It's going really well because everything, the game is coming together. I have to say, this is a great moment."

Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez

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Campbell's 'Hilarious' Accident

HONG KONG, Nov 17, 2012 (AFP) - Michael Campbell was involved in a bizarre incident on Saturday that could have cost him the third-round joint lead at the $2 million UBS Hong Kong Open.

The 43-year-old New Zealander, who won the US Open in 2005, was practising his swing at the 10th tee, but in doing so accidentally knocked the ball off the tee. It plopped a few feet away from him.

He picked it up and replaced it on the tee -- a move that could have incurred a two-stroke penalty had it been deemed he had addressed the ball.

"Ever since I started playing golf -- the last 38 years of playing golf -- I've never ever done that," he said.

"I was practising my swing, and teed the ball up, and as I practised my swing I knocked it off the tee. I knew it wasn't a penalty. JP (John Paramor, chief referee with the European Tour) was there and confirmed it.

"It wasn't an intentional swing, so I was allowed to replace the ball on the tee. It was hilarious, wasn't it? So funny.

"I knew the rules, but I wanted to double-check it. When JP walked towards me with a big smile on his face I knew I was OK."

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Leading third-round scores from the $2 million UBS Hong Kong Open on Saturday:

200 - Michael Campbell (NZL) 67-64-69, Miguel Angel Jimenez (ESP) 65-67-68

201 - Matteo Manassero (ITA) 67-70-64, Zhang Lianwei (CHN) 66-66-69

202 - Fredrik Andersson Hed (SWE) 66-66-70

203 - Anders Hansen (DEN) 69-64-70, Peter Lawrie (IRE) 68-68-67

204 - Raphael Jacquelin (FRA) 72-68-64, Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 69-70-65, Matt Kuchar (USA) 69-69-66, Stephen Gallacher (SCO) 68-68-68, Marcus Fraser (AUS) 67-69-68

205 - Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 72-66-67, Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 68-70-67, Lorenzo Gagli (ITA) 66-72-67, Paul Lawrie (SCO) 69-69-67, Mark Foster (ENG) 69-68-68

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