Aviv Dubai Championship R3: Tommy Fleetwood moves within striking distance
The 30-year-old Englishman is three shots back but it's tight at the top.
Tommy Fleetwood is within striking distance to claim the Aviv Dubai Championship but it's tight at the top after three rounds.
The Englishman is three strokes behind the leaders after 54 holes after firing a third round 4-under 68 at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Fleetwood, 30, made hard work of his round after making his first bogey in 17 holes on the par-3 third hole.
Another dropped shot followed at the eighth on the Fire Course to make the turn in 2-over par.
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Chip-in eagle for @Minwoo27Lee
Two-back.
#AvivDubaiChampionship pic.twitter.com/u37V3gD9q4— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 13, 2021
But a blistering back nine was to come. Six birdies. No bogeys. Back in contention.
Fleetwood is a former Rolex Series winner and is looking for his sixth European Tour victory in the penultimate event of the year.
Elsewhere, Denmark's Joachim B. Hansen hardly put a foot wrong all day. He's hardly done anything wrong all week, in fact.
Another 67 was signed for as the sun set on what is to become the home of the DP Tour World Championship in 2022.
What was all the more impressive was the Dane went 61 consecutive holes without a bogey this week.
That came to a frustrating end when at the par-4 15th.
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"How did it not go in?"@lapo10 joins the lead. #AvivDubaiChampionship pic.twitter.com/CGFIkm6xci
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 13, 2021
He shares the lead with Italy's Francesco Laporta at 18-under par with defending champion Antoine Rozner, from France, one behind.
Australia's supremely talented Min Woo Lee, also a Rolex Series winner, is also in the hunt at 16-under, just like Fleetwood.
He chipped in at the 13th on moving day.
Finland's Kalle Samooja is also two strokes behind.