Flawless Faldo looks unbeatable at three shots clear
NICK Faldo treated Singapore golf fans to a display of flawless skills yesterday as he stepped up his relentless march for victory in the US$850,000 Johnnie Walker Classic.
Performing at his impeccable best, the world number one fired a four-under-par 66 over the Singapore Island Country Club's Bukit Course in the third leg of the 1993 Volvo PGA European Tour.
The Englishman missed only two greens in his round, which included four birdies and 14 pars and took him three shots clear of joint overnight leader Colin Montgomerie going into the last day.
''My form is back to where it was at the end of last year,'' said Faldo, who has a 54-hole total of 201. Two strokes behind Montgomerie in third place is England's Steven Richardson. Greg Norman is tied for fourth on 207 with Thailand's Boonchu Ruangkitand Choi Sang-ho of South Korea.
However, not one of the leading pack seriously believes they can overhaul Faldo, the inaugural Classic champion in Hongkong in 1990 and winner of six tournaments in 1992.
''I can't see him shooting over 67, which would mean I'd have to shoot a 62 or 63,'' said Montgomerie. ''He's playing so well. He's monotonous. He keeps on going and has birdie chances on almost every hole.'' Norman, who trailed Faldo by five shots going into the last round of December's Johnnie Walker World Championship in Jamaica and was eventually beaten in a play-off, dismissed any chances of a repeat performance.
He said: ''I don't see any realistic chance of catching Faldo . . . not on these greens.'' Faldo, though, will take nothing for granted.
''I just have to keep doing the same stuff and concentrate on playing as well as I can. I won't be thinking of the other guys. I have to go out there and shoot a good score.'' Montgomerie, playing in the last flight yesterday with Faldo and South African Ernie Els, dropped a shot at the first. Although he made a birdie at the second, Faldo soon took command.
He pitched to four feet and made the putt for his first birdie of the day at the long fourth and added another at the sixth. A nine-iron to 12 inches at the ninth enabled him to tap in and reach the turn in three under.
On the back nine he scored eight pars plus a birdie at the 540-yard par-five 13th after a pitch-and-run to 10 feet.
Asia's challenge was maintained by Boonchu and Choi. Thai Open champion Boonchu, joint first-round leader, returned a 68, while Choi shot a 71.
''I will collect my thoughts and just aim to play my normal game in the final round,'' said Boonchu, the leading Asian finisher in last year's Classic in Bangkok.
Richardson was delighted with his 66 - his first sub-70 round in 11 starts this year.
The best score of the day, and the tournament so far, was posted by England's Mike McLean who blazed his way to a seven-under-par 63.
''It's the best I've played for a number of years. I really enjoyed it out there,'' said McLean, whose score eclipsed the previous record, set by Scotland's Sam Torrance 24 hours earlier.