Karlsson still on track in Hong Kong

Robert Karlsson’s first bogey in three rounds failed to derail the Swede’s charge towards the Hong Kong Open title after he maintained his four-stroke lead over former champion Miguel Angel Jimenez at the Hong Kong Golf Club.

The world number 45 dropped his only stroke in 54 holes at the par-four ninth to follow up his stunning back-to-back bogey-free 64s with a four-under-par 66 to take the largest lead in the history of the tournament into the final round after moving onto 16-under overall.

Jimenez, winner at the Hong Kong Golf Club three years ago, also dropped his only shot of the round at the dog-leg ninth, which normally stands as a par five and has played as one of the toughest holes so far this week with only seven birdies during the third round.

Marcus Fraser’s six-under-par 64, the equal best round on Saturday alongside Sweden’s Peter Hedblom, saw the Australian join first round leader KJ Choi, Karlsson’s World Cup playing partner Peter Hanson and India’s Shiv Kapur at 10-under.

Scott Strange, Daniel Chopra – fresh from his maiden victory on the US PGA Tour victory at Ginn sur Mer Classic at the end of last month, and 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir are a further shot adrift.