BMW International Open: China's Li Haotong in full control ahead of final round
- Sean Fisher
- 26 June 2022
Ahead of the final session on Sunday, China's Li Haotong finds himself in a dominant position having opened up a three-shot lead over Thomas Pieters.
Li Haotong's impressive display in Munich continued on Saturday, with the 26-year-old building on his lead ahead of the final round on Sunday.
The Chinese star managed a course-record 62 in the opening round on Thursday, before carding back-to-back 67's to leave him 20-under par heading into Sunday's final round.
Three shots clear of second placed Thomas Pieters, Haotong is in pole position to get his hands on the £2,000,000 prize fund.
Haotong looked unstoppable in his opening nine, which included a chip-in eagle at the sixth. Pieters was able to somewhat keep pace with an eagle and four birdies of his own, but the Chinese star simply looks to be in a league of his own in Munich this weekend.
Li Haotong will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the BMW International Open, leading the way at the close of day three. pic.twitter.com/MZIs4sN5QY
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 25, 2022
Speaking of his eagle at the sixth, Haotong seemed as shocked as everyone else."Somehow it managed to go in," he said.
"It's actually a lot [more] comfortable than I thought. Quite surprised. It's just another perfect day for me."
Haotong was the first Chinese player to enter the men's top 50 after his 2018 Dubai Desert Classic win. While the only other victory of his career came two years prior at the 2016 China Open.
England's Jordan Smith sits in third on 16-under after also carding his second 67 of the week, and he's just about been able to stay in contention for what could be a dramatic finale.
Darius van Driel and Ryan Fox sith a further stroke back after Van Driel managed the joint-best score of the day with an eight-under 64.
Both Pieters and Haotong start their final round in Munich at 12:40 BST.
