Mikko Korhonen will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the KLM Open as he goes in search of a wire-to-wire victory at The International.
The Finn started his week with a brilliant 64 containing a hole-in-one and has been on top ever since, following a second-round 68 with a 70 to get to 11 under in Amsterdam.
Italian Guido Migliozzi carded the lowest round of the day with a 66 to become the nearest challenger, one clear of countryman Matteo Manassero, American Sean Crocker and Dane Rasmus Højgaard.
There is more than just the trophy at stake this week, with Korhonen and Migliozzi currently on track to earn spots at The Open Championship as the two leading players not already exempt.
Korhonen won his maiden DP World Tour title at the 2018 Shot Clock Masters and his second came just 11 months later as he tasted victory at the Volvo China Open.
A third this week would end a five-year drought and come remarkably in just his third event after a 12-month spell out of the game.
English pair Joe Dean and Matt Wallace were at eight under alongside Swede Marcus Kinhult, one ahead of another Englishman in Matthew Baldwin, Scot Ewen Ferguson and Italian Edoardo Molinari.
South Africa's Casey Jarvis made the third hole-in-one of the week and 17th of the season when he holed a five iron from 199 yards at the seventh.
Mikko Korhonen
“It was really, really fun today. I didn’t really know what to expect because I haven’t played for a while, and in the circumstances like this, so yeah it was fun.
“It was definitely tougher today than the last two days. Just try to enjoy it. Go step by step, shot by shot. It would mean quite a lot but let’s not go there just yet.
Guido Migliozzi
“It was a very good round. It’s tough today, the wind got up and in a different way as well, so we were playing a different course, and I managed my game very well. I enjoyed playing today on the course, it has been a solid day of golf.
“It was tricky. It was kind of a brand new golf course for all of us but we knew that it could happen, and you know, I tried my best to keep the ball very low as well.
“I like to hit the ball low and I am comfortable doing that, so maybe days like this can happen and I try to take advantage of it, but I played great.
“Even on the greens, I holed great putts and it is about shot by shot, it is a bit as usual that everyone says that but it is how it is.
Rasmus Høgaard
“It was a tricky one today but at the same time, it was fun. Playing alongside Matteo was enjoyable. We had to fight for a good round, both of us.
“When it gets so windy there, one little miss strike can be costly out there with the rough, so it was all about trying to stay patient as much as possible and take the few chances you get out there.
“I am happy to come out alive from this round, but again I think my main focus is to try and keep the ball in play, in the fairway for tomorrow and then see from there.”
Article Link: Korhonen maintains narrow advantage at KLM Open - News - Irish Golf Desk