Colsaerts on course for title in Chengdu
Nicolas Colsaerts remained on course to land the China Open title after increasing his advantage at the head of the field over the first 12 holes of his final round today.
The 28-year-old Belgian was the overnight leader by one stroke from Han Cheng-won but held his nerve in the opening stages to pull two clear of the chasing pack as the final round reached its latter stages at Luxehills in Chengdu.
Colsaerts managed birdies at holes one, three, seven and 12 to improve to 22-under-par overall, two shots clear of clubhouse leader Pablo Martin.
Spaniard Martin surged through the pack on the final day, shooting a nine-under 63 thanks to 10 birdies and one bogey to put himself firmly in contention for the title should Colsaerts suffer a slump over the closing holes.
Sweden’s Christian Nilsson also enjoyed a strong day, his eight-under 64 moving him to within one of Martin in the clubhouse on 19-under, while England’s Danny Willett was next of the completed players, his final-round 65 moving him to 18-under.
Of those players still on the course, Ireland’s Peter Lawrie and Frenchman Gregory Havret appeared to have the best home of mounting a late challenge to Colsaerts, both on 17-under through 12 and 13 holes respectively.
