Argentina’s Jorge Berendt shot a flawless seven under par 62 to climb into a share of the third round lead alongside Welshman Stephen Dodd and Swede Henrik Nystrom on the Omega Hong Kong Open.
Bernedt, winner of last year’s Cannes Open, picked up four birdies in his first eight holes to climb up the leaderboard. Three birdies coming home took him into a share of the lead on 12 under par 195.
"It is a long time since I made a low round like that," said Berendt. "Normally on The European Tour it is not easy to make a very low round like a 62 or 63."
Berendt’s 62 was one stroke better than Nystrom, who 63 included a run of four birdies in succession from the eighth and two more to finish.
Former British Amateur Champion Stephen Dodd completes the leading group after a three under par 66. The 36 year old Welshman, who claimed the prestigious amateur title at Royal Birkdale 13 years ago, currently has a best finish on The European Tour of second in the 2001 North West of Ireland Open at Slieve Russell but now has a maiden Tour titles in his sights. Indeed he could have held the outright lead but he bogeyed the 16th and then holed a 15 foot putt for bogey on the last after finding trouble in the trees off the tee. Up to then the Nottingham Forest fan had being playing superbly, reaching the turn in 31 and hitting seven birdies in his first 14 holes.
"It was a nice putt to hole for bogey on the last but a bit disappointing to finish like that. It made me feel a lot better holing that putt. We'll just see what tomorrow brings. Early on I hit lots of shots close and I had lots
of short birdie putts. I played nicely for three days and hopefully it will continue tomorrow," said Dodd.
"I started to play nice last week but didn't hole any putts. I have hit it a bit closer this week so the putts have been a bit shorter. If you keep hitting it close you are going to get some in sooner or later."
A shot behind the leading trio on a tightly-packed leaderboard, in which 21 players are within four strokes of the lead, are Indian Arjun Singh, Zimbabwean Tony Johnstone, Scot Gary Orr, Thai Boonchu Ruangkit and Swede Fredrik Jacobson.
