European/PGA Tours

WGC-HSBC Champions 2018

October 25-28

Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai, China

$10,000,000

Live Leaderboard

October 25-28

Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai, China

$10,000,000

Live Leaderboard

Round 3

Big finish hands Finau Shanghai lead

Round 1

Round 2

Round 4

Round 1

Round 2

Round 4

October 27, 2018

Tony Finau birdied his last three holes in the third round to take a three-shot lead into the final day of the WGC-HSBC Champions.

- Getty Images

“I'm looking forward to tomorrow. 18 holes, I've got a world-class field chasing after me. This is the position you want to be in and you know, I'll be looking to close out my first tournament in this position, which is exciting for me. Whether it happens or not, it's an experience that you learn from and you continue to move forward."

“So I put myself in a great position going into tomorrow, and I'm going to have fun no matter the outcome and hopefully make a lot of birdies and have those guys have to do something special tomorrow to beat me.”

The American started Saturday with that advantage before defending champion Justin Rose reeled him in and moved two ahead with two to play on a dramatic day at Sheshan International Golf Club.

But while Finau completed his big finish to get to 13 under, Englishman Rose dropped three shots on the final two holes to sit three off the lead alongside American duo Patrick Reed and Xander Schauffele.

“I played well today," said Rose. "It was a good group to be a part of, obviously all right there. I guess the three of us were leading all day pretty much. I know Tommy got it going. Looked like he had a bit of a mistake at the par five."

“Tough finished. Missed it in the spot you can't miss it on 17 and that's such a disaster of an area. You can't drop it. You can't chip it. You can't do anything down there. So that took about half an hour."

“I'm playing well, so I've got to go out tomorrow. Shoot maybe something in the mid 60s and see if I can chase Tony down. Obviously, there's three guys at ten-under who are all going to be chasing pretty hard but nothing to lose tomorrow. It's going to take a good round. I'm playing well, feeling good. Just got to put that last couple holes behind me and come out a little bit angry tomorrow.”

Reigning Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood was then five shots off the lead alongside America's Andrew Putnam.

Finau's round of 70 put him in pole position to claim his first European Tour win at just the 20th attempt but the chasing pack have plenty to play for in Shanghai. A win for Rose could move him back to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking, while a Reed victory could put him top of the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex.

Fleetwood could also move to the top of the Race to Dubai standings, while Schauffele and Putnam are both still seeking their first European Tour wins.

“Got a little bit closer," said Schauffele. "Like you said, there are a few lip outs. Wind was swirling again like the last few days and just happy to come out on top."

“I think I'll probably have a word with my caddie tonight. Try and stick to whatever process we come up with and try and slow down what I do. There's a lot of decisions to be made out here on the golf course with the wind swirling. If we can stay in each shot and not get ahead of ourselves, I think that will be the key to success.”

Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat and American Keegan Bradley both fired rounds of 70 to sit at seven under, with Australian Jason Day at six under, a shot clear of Thorbjørn Olesen, Patrick Cantlay and Billy Horschel.