2013 Golf: French Invasion At Turkish Airlines Open

Golf fans around the world are wanting a Sunday Shootout between Tiger Woods, Ian Poulter, and Henrik Stenson at the Turkish Airlines Open, but 23 year-old Victor Dubuisson from France will not get out of the way. The youngster from France added a nine under par 63 on Saturday to an already impressive total, and will take a five shot lead to the first tee on Sunday. Ian Poulter lost ground to the leader in the third round, but has sole possession of second place.

Dubuisson, who is ranked 108th in the world, and is currently 49th on the Race To Dubai points list, fired another bogey-free round on Saturday and has left the big three chasing. Fellow countryman, Raphael Jacquelin set a new record at the Montgomerie Maxx Golf Course in Antalya, Turkey with a 10 under par 62.

Jacquelin had three, four birdie runs on Saturday beginning at the first hole. He birdied one through four, eight through eleven,  and fifteen through eighteen. His only hiccup was a double bogey at the par three fifth hole.

"“I’m proud of the record,” admitted Jacquelin.  “I have a few records on Tour.  I made eight birdies in a row a long time ago.  I know I can score a little bit.  I don’t know where was it, but it is back, so I’m very pleased with it.”"

The 39 year-old Frenchman moved up 29 positions into a tie for third place with Tiger Woods, Henrik Stenson, and Spaniard, Alejandro Canizares at 15 under par, and six strokes off the lead.

Henrik Stenson, playing along with Tiger Woods, and Richard Sterne, carded a three under par 69 on a day when the French players were dominating. Stenson is the current FedEx Cup champion, and has the lead in the Race to Dubai. The 37 year-old Swede looks to still have some rust on his game after the layoff with wrist problems.

Tiger Woods got in the clubhouse with a four under par 68 on Saturday. Woods didn’t look as sharp in the third round as he did yesterday, but had a decent front nine with three birdies. His trouble started on the back where he started to spray his tee shots. Woods was able to overcome three bogeys on the back with a birdie at 18.

The world’s number one seems to hit a point in tournaments where he just doesn’t know where his tee shot is going to go. He hit one deep in the woods on 15, and had to hit a provisional. He continues to play well once he finds the fairway.

Source: EuropeanTour.com

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