Belgian duo open up big lead at World Cup of Golf

Belgian pair Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters shot their second 63 of the tournament to grab a whopping five-stroke lead at the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne.
After Friday’s wet and miserable weather for the foursomes, conditions were much better for Saturday’s fourballs and Belgium were able to take full advantage.
The duo enjoyed a mid-round stretch of five-under-par in four holes to leave their rivals trailing in their wake as they ultimately signed for a nine-under-par 63 to go with their opening 63 on Thursday and their second-round 71.
Team Belgium continues to separate themselves in the third round of the @WorldCupofGolf.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/XAe1umoZ1V
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 24, 2018
They lead the way on 19 under par, five strokes clear of South Korea, Italy and Mexico, who share second place.
A dominant performance. 🇧🇪@Thomas_Pieters & @tomdetry are in position to claim Belgium's first #WorldCupofGolf title!#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/RaUOsUVQfH
— World Cup of Golf (@WorldCupofGolf) November 24, 2018
The Koreans started the day in a share of the lead with Belgium, but a 68 on the day couldn’t prevent them from falling way behind.
Mexico’s Abraham Ancer and Roberto Diaz shot 65 to join South Korea in second place along with Italy’s Andrea Pavan and Renato Paratore, who survived a double bogey at the par-5 14th before recovering to post a 66.
Three teams were tied for fifth a further shot back – Sweden, Australia and England.
Home favourites Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith of Australia were six under on the front nine, but couldn’t replicate that kind of rampant scoring after the turn and had to settle for a 65.
“Probably a story of two different nines,” Leishman said. “Got off to a great start obviously but cooled off a bit on the back nine.”
Sunday’s final round will again be played in the foursomes (alternate shot) format.
.@Thomas_Pieters & @tomdetry wanted to make one more putt before leaving at @MovemberAUS’ “Longest Putt for Charity” 😂 pic.twitter.com/SXBXcmOJHN
— World Cup of Golf (@WorldCupofGolf) November 24, 2018
Latest
-
Ryder Cup
New Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald motivated by ‘bitter’ memories of 2021 defeat
Stenson was stripped of the role for breaking his contract by joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
The task facing Luke Donald after replacing Henrik Stenson
Stenson was appointed on March 15 and said he was fully committed to a role before signing with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald named Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
Donald replaces Henrik Stenson after he was stripped of the role.
-
PGA Tour
Tony Finau claims second straight PGA Tour victory
The American won the 3M Open in his previous outing.
-
News
Henrik Stenson cushions Ryder Cup blow with £3.6m debut win in LIV Golf
The Swede was stripped of his role as Europe captain after joining the Saudi-backed breakaway tour.
-
News
Former Masters champion Bubba Watson becomes latest player to join LIV Golf
The left-hander is currently sidelined by a knee injury and is not expected to play until next season,
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald tipped to replace Henrik Stenson as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
The Swede lost the job 127 days after his appointment following his decision to join the LIV Golf series.
-
News
Max Homa: Tiger Woods now understands the respect he commands from his peers
Homa has made no secret of his admiration for Woods.
-
Ryder Cup
Bernard Gallacher fears Greg Norman is not the man for compromise with LIV Golf
Players who have resigned from the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf will not be eligible for next year’s Ryder Cup.
-
LPGA Tour
Brooke Henderson takes two-shot lead into final round of Evian Championship
South Korea’s Ryu So-yeon climbed into outright second place on 15 under.