HONG KONG – Aaron Rai shot a 2-under 68 Saturday in the third round to extend his lead from four to six strokes at the Hong Kong Open.
The 23-year-old Englishman is 16 under for the week after four birdies and two bogeys Saturday. Rai - who wears gloves on both hands while playing - shot a course-record 61 at Hong Kong Golf Club on Friday.
''Nothing is ever done until it’s done and 18 holes is a lot of golf, a six-shot lead, a 10-shot lead, anything can happen,’' said Rai, who is looking for his first European Tour win.
Full-field scores from the Honma Hong Kong Open
Matthew Fitzpatrick (68) and 2017 Race to Dubai winner Tommy Fleetwood (66) share second place, six off the pace at 10 under.
Sergio Garcia is a shot further back after hitting five birdies, a bogey and an eagle on the par-4 10th for a 6-under 64. The Spaniard is fourth with Australia’s Jason Scrivener (67).
''The only thing I can do is go out there tomorrow, play as well as I can play, hopefully get on a hot streak and put on a good round and see,’' said Garcia.
South Korea’s Hyo-won Park (73) had cut Rai’s lead to just one shot at the turn before his round collapsed, including an 8 on the 18th with a penalty for his ball moving. He is tied for eighth on 7 under.