Kyle Stanley can continue to show liking for Shanghai layout

Sky Sports Golf, 4am Saturday

Tony Finau takes a three-shot lead into the third round of the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, but the threeball value could be found in the third-from-last group.

Kyle Stanley looks to be the man to follow to get the better of fellow American Keegan Bradley and Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who tee off at 3.15am BST.

Stanley has happy memories of playing at the Sheshan International, having finished fifth at the Shanghai track last year and there is plenty to like about his chances of building on a decent start.

While his last win came at the Quicken Loans National in July last year and he has claimed only one top-ten finish in his last 13 outings, it is noticeable that he has performed well in Saturday rounds.

In 2018, he averaged a third-round score of 69.05 which was the eighth-best on the PGA Tour and he can build on his Friday 69.

Bradley has enjoyed a similar rise up the world rankings to Stanley - the former US PGA champion has got to grips with the anchor-putting rule changes which hit him hard - but it is five years since he finished 11th at this week's course and the BMW Championship winnner was 68th in third-round scoring last year.

That just tips the balance in Stanley's favour, while Aphibarnrat's first two rounds have flown in the face of both his recent and course efforts.

The Thai has not chalked up a top-ten finish since the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May and has never finsihed better than 24th in his five efforts at Sheshan, so he may struggle to stay the pace.

Recommendation
K Stanley to win threeball (3.15am BST)
2pts 13-8 general

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