You are in > manchester.com  > News > Karlsson retains Hong Kong lead

Golf

Karlsson retains Hong Kong lead

17/11/2007

Robert Karlsson remains in the lead of the Hong Kong Open heading into the final round on 16-under-par, four shots ahead of Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Karlsson carded a round of 66 to stay in front of the Spaniard who also continued his strong start to the new season by matching the Swede with a round of four-under.

Australia's Marcus Fraser moved up from 20th at the start of the day to join KJ Choi, Shiv Kapur and Peter Hanson in a four-way tie for third place on 11-under.

Fraser carded the round of the day in a mistake-free 18 holes to haul himself in to contention for the title.

Karlsson also continued to impress, making four birdies in the first six holes on the front nine, further extending his lead over the rest of the field.

He eventually made his first bogey of the entire tournament at the ninth but managed to get that shot back at the 14th hole, which was surprisingly his only birdie on the back nine.

The Swede is pleased with how the tournament has progressed for him so far and is looking to find some form to carry into the rest of the season.

He said: "I am very happy with the way I played today and that is the most important thing.

"It doesn't matter where other people are, if I play my game like this over a whole year I would probably have pretty good results."

Jimenez is best placed to surpass Karlsson but will have to continue his excellent form to do so, having only dropped two shots in the last two rounds.