By Matt Smith
Rasmus Hojgaard saw his record 36-hole advantage wiped out at the French Open ion Saturday before he bravely fought back to remain in the driving seat for a wire-to-wire victory.
The 21-year-old Dane suufered a quintuple-bogey eight at the par three second hole at Le Golf National.
The three-time DP World Tour winner carried a six-stroke lead into the weekend in France, but things with horribly awry early on as he found the water three times on the tricky second hole at the 2018 Ryder Cup venue.
He sank a 14-foot putt for an eight at the par three and when he followed that up with a bogey at the par five third, Hojgaard looked down and out, six-over par through the opening three holes. But he delighted the fans with a battling comeback, carding five birdies in the final 13 holes to limit the damage to a three-over 74.
That kept him top of the pile on 12-under, one clear of South Africa’s George Coetzee, who signed for a four-under 68 as he targets a sixth DP World Tour victory.
Thomas Pieters, a winner already this season at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, moved himself within touching distance of a seventh career title with a five-under 66, and he was joined on 10-under by Frenchman Paul Barjon whose third-round 70 kept his dreams alive of a debut victory in his home open.
Rasmus Hojgaard: “To be fair I was pretty far down mentally after that start, it was tough but I had to try tell myself that I’ve been playing good the past few days and I shouldn’t let it bother me too much. I just tried my best to stay in there and try hit some good shots.
“I was very proud of myself to be fair. It was obviously an annoying finish with a bogey on 18, but it was a tough grind. I’m proud that I stayed in there and made a few birdies along the way.
“It’s obviously not the Saturday I wanted but at the same time I’m just happy that I stayed in there and I managed to make some birdies and still have the lead, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
You may also like:
Golf Digest Middle East presents Oktoberfest 2022
Immelman ‘LOLs’ at Norman message
US dominate Internationals on Day 2 of Presidents Cup
LPGA announce new event hosted by Michelle WIe
Reed to line up with LIV Golfers at Alfred Dunhill Championship
Hsieh becomes youngest player to make cut on tour
Monahan tight-lipped on LIV Golf rankings quest
Tiger helps out at Presidents Cup
Perez brings the LIV party to Asia
Key moments from Day 1 at Presidents Cup
Should the Presidents Cup bring in the LPGA players
Justin Thomas is a hard ‘no’ on PGA Tour v LIV Golf
Greg Norman shut out of Shootout
Adam Scott on why he shunned LIV Golf
LOOK: The latest LIV Golf standings after Chicago
Five ways to improve the Presidents Cup
Every player at the 2022 Presidents Cup ranked and rated
Davis Love finds his voice — thanks to LIV
WATCH: LIV Golf highlights from Chicago
WATCH: Willett’s three-putt to lose Fortinet
Pay day in Chicago: Who won what at LIV Golf?
Loud and proud crowd the difference at Presidents Cup
WATCH: Bryson gets in a tangle at Chicago LIV event
Laklalech becomes first Arab to win on LET
Chiara Noja secures LET card for 2023
Get your FREE September edition of Golf Digest Middle East here
