Fraser opens narrow lead

Marcus Fraser: Australian leads in his first competitive outing for eight months

Australia’s Marcus Fraser shot an excellent 65 on Saturday to ensure he will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Hong Kong Open in Fanling.

The 36-year-old’s performance this week has been made all the more impressive by the fact that it is his first competitive outing in eight months following a long spell out injured.

Fraser has been laid low with a ligament injury in his left hand, which required surgery, and has only played four European Tour events this season.

However, the Australian again showed no ill effects in his third round, bouncing back from a bogey at his opening hole to post six birdies, including four in his last six holes.

That left him alone at the top of the leaderboard on 11 under, one clear of compatriot Scott Hend (67) and two ahead of England’s Mark Foster (66), South African Jbe Kruger (66) and Angelo Que (67).

Disappointing day for Els

Overnight leader Ernie Els endured a disappointing day as he slipped three off the pace following a one-over-par 71.

Third round leaderboard

(GB & Ire unless stated)
-11 M Fraser (Aus)
-10 S Hend (Aus)
-9 M Foster
-9 -9 J Kruger (SA)
-9 A Que (Phi)

Click here for collated scores

The four-time major champion â€" who celebrated his 45th birthday on Friday â€" lost ground with a double-bogey on the par-four ninth after a wild drive had forced him to take a penalty drop.

He responded in fine fashion with an eagle at the long 13th having put his second to around four feet, but two scruffy bogeys in his last four holes left him with plenty to do on Sunday.

Alongside the South African at eight under are France’s Raphael Jacquelin (69), Australian rookie Cameron Smith (69), Jyoti Randhawa of India (68) and Spain’s Javier Colomo who fired a best-of-the-day 64.

The Spaniard got the ball rolling with an eagle at the third hole before adding a further five birdies at the Hong Kong GC, the only blemish on his card a bogey at the sixth.