Tom McKibbin fired a five under 65 to take a slim one-shot lead into the final round of the Links Hong Kong Open as he chases a wire-to-wire win and dream starts in the Masters and The Open.
The Holywood star (22) led by two shots overnight.
But with two holes to go, he found himself trailing American MJ Maguire, who made an outrageous eagle two at the 11th en route to a nine-under 61 that briefly gave him the lead on 19-under par.
McKibbin made his first bogey of the week when he three-putted the short second.
But after making birdies at the third, fourth, sixth and ninth to turn two clear of Peter Uihlein on 18 under, Maguire holed his eight-iron approach from under trees at the 11th for an eagle two and birdied four of his last seven holes to set the target at 19-under.
McKibbin made a two at the short 12th to get to 19 under, and while he dropped another shot at the 15th, he made a 12-footer at the 17th and another birdie at the last to shoot 65 and lead by one shot fron the American on 20 under.
“It was pretty good overall,” McKibbin said. “I felt the course was playing a little tougher – the pins seemed harder, but I played some very nice golf. I holed a few good putts, and everything felt solid.”
As for the invitation to the Masters awarded to the winner and the spot in The Open at Royal Birkdale for the learning non-exempt player, he added: “I think everyone came here knowing those spots are available, but for me, finishing second or third doesn’t make a big difference.
“I went into the week with the mindset of giving it a good go, and that’s what I’ll try to do.”
Uihlein lies two behind after a 65 with Australian veteran Scott Hend and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat a shot further back.
Meanwhile, Leona Maguire slipped back to joint 52nd heading into the final round of the LPGA’s Maybank Championship when she carded a two-over par 74 in Kuala Lumpur.
The Co Cavan star sits on two-under-par behind Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi, who carded a 67 to lead by four strokes from China’s Yan Liu (65) on 19 under on the West Course at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.
Article Link: McKibbin keeps Masters and Open dream alive as he leads by one in wire-to-wire Hong Kong Open bid - News - Irish Golf Desk