Jordan Spieth’s intention to cap off an epic golfing year with another high-profile victory was endorsed in Shanghai on Saturday as the 22-year-old Texan carded a 63 to move within three of the lead at the WGC-HSBC Champions.
Spieth had bemoaned a sluggish attitude during round two but suffered no such problems a day later. Surprise was apparent only within Spieth’s mind. “This will be the first and only time I would say this but I was not expecting myself to be in this position on Sunday when the week started,” he admitted. “I came in with very little confidence in my trust of what I am trying to do in my swing.”
Spieth’s prominence is glaring on a leaderboard that has Kevin Kisner at the top on 16 under par. Dustin Johnson, who is seeking a second WGC success of 2015, lies only a shot adrift of Kisner with 18 holes to play.
“Tomorrow’s strategy will be kind of like today; be aggressive,” said Spieth. “I will take a few chances and see if it pays off. On this golf course, though, there is a lot of water, a lot of trouble, you have to keep the ball on the fairway.
“If I can put some pressure on a group or two ahead, you never know how things could back up. I’m hopefully going to get off to a good start tomorrow then show some patience towards the end of the round. I’m pleased with a nine under par round anywhere. For the most part it was about ball-striking. I didn’t put myself in much trouble. I really only missed one green and was able to capitalise.”
On his day-three approach, from a position where he had appeared out of contention, the Masters and US Open champion added: “I just felt like it was free flowing and if that doesn’t work out, that’s fine. If it does, great. I’m going to have the same feeling tomorrow. Playing with house money.”
Saturday’s play had twice been delayed because of lightning in the area before Russell Knox opted not to play out the 18th hole in poor light. The Scot is alongside Johnson and the Chinese hope Li Haotong but will now have to complete his round three early on Sunday morning. “I am happy with my decision,” Knox said. “I wasn’t keen to play and my caddie wasn’t keen for me to play.
“The hole was into the wind; maybe we will get it down wind in the morning. It could be a multiple breakfast day, though.”
Rory McIlroy was in his most upbeat mood of the week having apparently recovered from the effects of food poisoning in signing for a 68. McIlroy is eight under par. “I feel much better, I was glad to be back to 100%, healthy and able to give it my all out there,” the Northern Irishman said. “I didn’t really make anything on the greens. That 68 felt like a 73 or 74.”
