Hotshot Haotong Li ready to complete his European Tour hat-trick

Sky Sports Golf, 8.30am Sunday

Story so far
Haotong Li leads the Turkish Airlines Open by three shots going into the final round at the Regnum Carya Resort, the brilliant Chinese youngster carding six Saturday birdies and a spectacular eagle to take control.

Li holed his approach for eagle at the tenth hole to leapfrog overnight leader Justin Rose at the top of the board. Only Thomas Pieters (62) bettered the third-round 63 of Li, who has reached 17 under par through 54 holes.

Rose, two shots clear at the halfway stage, bogeyed the final hole to drop into a tie for second place alongside Alexander Levy.

Thorbjorn Olesen is alone in fourth place, a shot ahead of former Masters champion Danny Willett. Li is a shade of odds-on for victory, while Rose can be backed at 11-4.

Leaderboard
-17 Haotong Li
-14 Alexander Levy, Justin Rose
-13 Thorbjorn Olesen
-12 Danny Willett, Sam Horsfield
-11 Thomas Aiken, Tommy Fleetwood

Best prices
5-6 H Li, 11-4 J Rose, 9 T Olesen, A Levy, 33 T Fleetwood, 50 D Willett, S Horsfield, 125 bar

Final-day advice
There was a new-found steeliness and determination about Haotong Li in round three of the Turkish Airlines Open and it appears the 23-year-old is coming of age.

Li started his career as a lightweight, cheerful character who just seemed happy to be competing on the main tours, but he has grown both physically and mentally, and seems to have realised he has the potential to become one of the best players in the world. He was growling his way around Regnum Carya on Saturday, clearly in possession of his A-game and eager to make it count.

Li is already the best player China has ever produced, but greater glory is clearly in his magic hands. Li has added length, become more consistent with his irons, and his short-game skills are exceptional.

Seeing off Rory McIlroy in a duel for the Dubai Desert Classic title at the end of January was a huge feather in the cap of Li, and this week he can further bolster his reputation by repelling Justin Rose and others in the opening event of the European Tour Final Series.

In Dubai, Li led by one shot over McIlroy with 18 holes to play, and triumphed by one. This time Li has a three-shot edge over Rose and Alexander Levy, and four over Thorbjorn Olesen. It should be enough of a buffer for him to oblige at a shade of odds-on.

Li, who finished third in the Open Championship last year, has won twice on the European Tour and can put the icing on the cake of a superb month of form by claiming a third title. A sunny, calm final day is forecast and Li, becoming increasingly fearless and calm, can make enough birdies to leave the chasing pack in his wake.

Racing Post Sport followers are on Li ante-post each-way at 22-1 and Olesen ante-post each-way at 14-1, so there is no need to get further involved. Olesen seems likely to finish with a flourish, but whether that will be enough to overcome Li is doubtful.

Li, Olesen, Rose could be the final tricast, with Danny Willett, who is getting his act together again after a barren spell, the potential fly in the ointment. It will be interesting to see how the new claw putting stroke of Levy holds up under the pressure of contending on Sunday. The likelihood is it will let him down and he will fail to sustain his challenge.

The final threeball of Li, Rose and Levy tees off at 8.30am UK and Ireland time.

Dual-forecast recommendation
H Li & T Olesen
2pts 11-2 Sky Bet

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