Australia's Marchesani leads the way in Haikou

HAIKOU, China — Australia’s James Marchesani shot 4-under through 12 holes in the third round of the Haikou Championship to move to 9-under and hold a three-shot lead over China’s Ouyang Zheng (3-under through 14 holes) when officials suspended play due to dangerous weather conditions.

Play was first suspended at Sunac 3KM Golf Club at 3:24 pm due to lightning in the area before being officially called for the day at 5 pm as the weather worsened. On Sunday, the third round will resume at 7:20 am with the final round starting at 7:30 am while the third round is still going on. The final groups of the fourth round will tee off at 9:20 am. Groupings for the final round will remain the same as the third.

Japan’s Kenta Endo lies in third and is 2-under through 15 and 5-under overall, one shot ahead of compatriot Keisuke Otawa, American Charlie Netzel, and Singapore’s Quincy Quek.

American Kevin Techakanokboon was 5-under through 17 and was in seventh, at 4-under, along with Japan’s Yuwa Kosaihiara and fellow Americans David Kocher, Corey Shaun, Brad Gehl and Max McGreevy.

Marchesani won his first pro victory at the unofficial Clearwater Bay Open in 2017, which gave him full status for the Tour’s 2018 season, where he recorded two top-10s before finishing 36th on the Order of Merit.

Despite tying for 55th at the same event in 2018, Marchesani is in good form this week and carded five birdies and one bogey Saturday to secure a three-shot overnight lead as he looks to win his first official PGA TOUR Series-China victory with 24 holes still left to play.

“I’m not sure why I’m playing so well. I didn’t play great here last year. I think the events of last week might have changed the perspective on life and golf a little bit. Whether that has any influence I’m not too sure but the swing is feeling good,” said Marchesani of the death of player Arie Irawan prior to the final round of the Sanya Championship. “I’ve felt like the game has been coming along a little bit, so it’s a good position to be in. Tomorrow could be a long day, so just going to keep attacking and see what happens. It’s a good feeling going into Sunday, so I’m hoping I can win.”

Did you know James Marchesani’s best finish on the 2018 PGA TOUR Series-China season was a tie for fourth at the Qinhunagdao Championship? His other top-10 was a tie for ninth, at the Qingdao Championship.

Key Information

The course this week is a par-72 totaling 7,095 yards.

American Kevin Techakanokboon is 5-under through 17 holes. He started his third round tied for 42nd and moved up 35 places during the day.

The next-leading Australian after James Marchesani is Max McCardle. He is tied for 18th, at 1-under. He completed all 18 holes Saturday.

Japan’s Kenta Endo and Keisuke Otawa enter Sunday in contention. Following in the footsteps of Taihei Sato (won the Chongqing Championship) and Yuwa Kosaihira (tied for fifth at the Sanya Championship), Endo is 2-under through 51 holes in a tie for third, at 5-under. Otawa played 12 holes of his third round, and he’s at 1-over, with six holes still to play.

Singapore’s Quincy Quek has played in 32 previous PGA TOUR Series-China events. He played 10 tournaments each in 2014, 2015 and 2018 along with the first two tournaments this season. Quek did not play this Tour at all in 2016.

Quincy Quek has recorded six top-10s during his 23 made cuts on PGA TOUR Series-China. His best finish came in 2014, when he finished third at the Lanhai Open.

Last week’s Sanya Championship winner Trevor Sluman opened 73-69 and is currently 1-over through 17 hole, 1-under for the tournament. He lies in a tie for 18th.

Taihei Sato, winner of the Chongqing Championship, is not playing this week.

Every player in the field has made at least one bogey this week.

Of the players who finished their third rounds, Hong Kong’s Jason Hak, American Justin Hicks and the Philippines’ Lloyd Jefferson Go all shot 69s. Max McCardle shot a 72. Go is tied for 13th, while Hak, Hicks and McCardle are tied for 18th.