By Elizabeth Broomhall
Justin Rose is tied for the lead at the Hong Kong Open despite a course-record equalling 63 by unheralded Dane Lucas Bjerregaard.
World no.7 Rose was trailing by one stroke until the final hole when 285th-ranked Bjerregaard dropped his only shot to join Rose on an aggregate score of 15 under par.
Bjerregaard fired eight birdies, including four in a row from 10 to 13, for a score of seven under par 63, matching the Fanling course record.
Meanwhile England's Rose fired two eagles including a 44-foot putt on the par 5 13th for a six under par 64.
"I really enjoyed playing with Lucas, it was the first time I played with him. I didn't know much about his game and was very very impressed, we had a fun day out there, flip-flopping birdies," Rose told reporters.
"My round boiled down to two eagles really and a couple of par saves, I got into trouble a couple of times but was able to salvage good par."
However it was a disappointing round for Rose's European Ryder Cup teammates Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter, the latter of whom needs to win in Hong Kong if he wants to qualify for the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.
After opening in third place, the Englishman, who had made a mad dash to Hong Kong to retain his European Tour membership and keep alive his hopes of playing in the Ryder Cup next year, finished with a three over par 73 for the round, dropping to joint 23rd in the tournament.
Former major winner McDowell, who had been hoping to salvage some pride and points after what he earlier said was a disappointing year, ended the day with a one over par 71, also in 23rd place overall.
AFP
