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James Porteous

Australian Marcus Fraser, playing his first tournament in eight months following surgery on a hand injury, showed no ill effects at the Hong Kong Open as he shot a six-birdie 65 to lead the tournament on -11
One shot further back is compatriot Scott Hend, who had a 67, while three players - England's Mark Foster, South Africa's Jbe Kruger and Filipino Angelo Que - are on -9.

Four-time major winner Ernie Els, the overnight leader, had a difficult day, with three bogeys and a double as he struggled with his putter, but insists he'll be out to shoot 63 and lift the title on Sunday.
Catch up with all the day's action and reaction below.

5pm 
Day 3 leaderboard
-11 Marcus Fraser 
-10 Scott Hend
-9 Mark Foster, Jbe Kruger, Angelo Que
-8 Javier Colomo, Jyoti Randhawa, Cameron Smith, Ernie Els, Raphael Jacquelin
-7 Kevin Phelan, Adam Groom  
 
That's it for day 3, Ernie Els has just putted out for bogey on the last after a frustrating day to end on -8, one shot worse than he began the day.
"It was a disappointing day, starting to go off the rails a little with the double bogey on 9 when I was actually lucky to make 6.
"I put things together a bit, had the eagle on 12, but couldn't really get a run going. The last four holes I missed makeable putts. 

	Tomorrow I'll be back and looking for a 63

	Ernie Els
"I was struggling a bit with soreness in the right hip, making it hard to really push forward.
"I'm disappointed now but tomorrow I'll be back and looking for a 63."
 
Some more reaction from the leaders:

Marcus Fraser: "Towards the end it was pretty good, but the start of the round wasn't ideal. Very happy with the finish coming down the stretch [four birdies in his last six holes]

	This is the best golf course we play all year

	Marcus Fraser
"No one is more surprised than I am [to be here] after eight months of sitting on the couch. It hasn't been the best eight months but when you go out and play like that makes it worth it, that's for sure.
"I think I've had three top 10s here in the past and a third a couple of years ago. I love the golf course. I wish we could take this golf course every week we play. I think it's the best we play all year."
 
Jbe Kruger: "Definitely after the couple of bad holes I had yesterday, I could really really feel the Lord's presence today. It was amazing.
"I think the Lord is keeping me in the palm of His hand, which you can definitely see. If you look at holes, like 5 yesterday, it was like He is taking the ball and controlling it. 

	The Lord is taking the ball and controlling it

	Jbe Kruger
"I haven't been in this position for quite a while, since probably the last time I was here. So I'm very excited. If it's the Lord's will, it's going to happen."

Scott Hend
 
" I lost my way in the middle there [after a three-consecutive-birdie start], a little bit messy but nice to hang in there for tomorrow and not play myself out of it.  Just had a rough time in the middle of the round.  Overall pretty good.
"No, not exciting [to be at the top of the leaderboard]. Just trying to do my job.  I'll be excited tomorrow night if I've got a trophy and have a few celebration drinks at 8.00 at night, that's when I'll be excited.  Right now got a job to do and a lot of good players on the board.
"Just stop making silly mistakes and play the golf course how it's supposed to be played and we'll have a chance.
"I'm not beating myself up.  Like I said, 67 is always a good score around here.  Like I said, I'm happy that I held on through the middle, a bit of a rough patch and managed to fight my way through it.  Like I said, tomorrow is another day.  I could come and open up with six straight birdies, who knows.  That would be nice, but a bit of a hard task."
 
 
4.30pm 
Live leaderboard
-11 Marcus Fraser 
-10 Scott Hend
-9 Mark Foster, Jbe Kruger, Angelo Que, Ernie Els
-8 Javier Colomo, Jyoti Randhawa, Cameron Smith, Raphael Jacquelin
-7 Kevin Phelan, Adam Groom, SSP Chawrasia 
-6 two players
Clubhouse leader Marcus Fraser has just been telling us he's "as surprised as anyone" to be leading - this is his first tournament after "eight months sitting on the couch".
The Australian has been out after surgery to remove a bone in his left hand to relieve tendonitis. 
Meanwhile, Els has missed another good birdie chance on 16, his putter clearly isn't firing today.
 
4.15pm 
Live leaderboard
-11 Marcus Fraser 
-10 Scott Hend
-9 Mark Foster, Jbe Kruger, Angelo Que, Ernie Els
-8 Javier Colomo, Jyoti Randhawa, Cameron Smith, Raphael Jacquelin
-7 Kevin Phelan, Adam Groom, SSP Chawrasia 
-6 two players
Two Aussies out in front at the moment, Marcus Fraser in the clubhouse on -11 after birdieing 16 and 18 and Scott Hend on -10 with birdies on 15 and 16. 
Els missed a near-tap-in for par on 15, so he's dropped back to -9 again but he's looking good for a birdie on 16
3.40pm 
Live leaderboard
-9 Mark Foster, Jbe Kruger, Marcus Fraser, Scott Hend, Ernie Els
-8 Javier Colomo, Jyoti Randhawa
-7 Kevin Phelan, Adam Groom, Angelo Que, Cameron Smith, Raphael Jacquelin
-6 four players
Boom! Els makes no mistake from more like four feet to sink the eagle putt on 13 and get back to -9, where he started this morning. Five holes left for him to get back in front of the pack
3.30pm 
Live leaderboard
-9 Mark Foster, Jbe Kruger, Marcus Fraser, Scott Hend
-8 Javier Colomo, Jyoti Randhawa
-7 Kevin Phelan, Adam Groom, Angelo Que, Cameron Smith Ernie Els, Raphael Jacquelin
-6 four players
It's all getting rather tight at the top, with Jbe Kruger just missing by inches on 18 a chance to go to -10. Scott Hend is back to -9 after birdying 12 and Marcus Fraser has birdied 12 and 13 to join him, Kruger and Mark Foster. 
Ernie Els has just played a great second shot on 13 to within six feet for a chance to join them with an eagle.
3.15pm 
Live leaderboard
-9 Mark Foster,  Jbe Kruger 
-8 Javier Colomo, Jyoti Randhawa, Marcus Fraser, Scott Hend 
-7 Kevin Phelan, Angelo Que, Ernie Els, Raphael Jacquelin
-6 eight players
Just been speaking to Mark Foster, who had a bogey on 18 after going through the back of the green with his second shot then thinning a chip, but was otherwise incredible on the back nine - seven birdies and a par on the other eight holes
He's one of the players here struggling to retain his card, ranked 102 with the top 110 keeping their cards, so a nice cheque tomorrow would be very valuable.
He pulled out of the Portugal Masters last week with a back problem and admits he wouldn't have played here if his status were secure. With a 10-month old baby, retaining playing rights is all the more vital. 
"I couldn't walk last week, I didn't hit a shot until Thursday with a trapped nerve and a bulging disc. 
"One of the reasons I've not been playing well over the last year, my wife will kill me, but it's our first child and we didn't really know what we were doing at first.
"There's not been a lot of sleep, I took a long break to be with them, and just started worse and worse
"She's the best thing that's ever happened to me, though - make sure you get that in!
"I've racked my brains to try to figure out what I'll need to keep my card, there's a lot of good players in there, but maybe around 240 (euros) will do it.")
Meanwhile, Ernie Els double-bogeyed 9 to slip back. Scott Hend is also back to -8 after a bogey on 11. Jyoti Randhawa has moved up to join them after birdies on 13 and 14.
2.45pm 
Live leaderboard
-10 Mark Foster
-9  Jbe Kruger, Scott Hend, Ernie Els
-8 Javier Colomo, Cameron Smith
-7 Kevin Phelan, Daan Huizing,  Marcus Fraser, Raphael Jacquelin
-6 five players
Marcus Foster is absolutely storming it on the back nine - he's birdied every hole except 15 (par) with two to play to take a share of the joint lead.
UPDATE - he's done it again, great 15-footer on 17 to take the outright lead. Phenomenal back nine.
Meanwhile, Els has hit some trouble on 9 after a wayward drive. He's had to take a drop and will hit bogey - or worse. He's only hit two out of six fairways today
Remember - Scott Hend won 3 titles on the #AsianTour last year, two of which included @TheBig_Easy in the field. #HongKongOpen
	— The Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) October 18, 2014
South African Jbe Kruger has birdied 12 and 13 to join the group on -9. Scott Hend dropped one on 8 to fall back.
Last year, Kruger gave God all the credit for a decent day's work at Fanling, and He is clearly a fan of the Hong Kong Open. Last year, His support seemed to tail off though as Kruger finished down the table. 
Jacquelin's slipped one too after a bogey on 7. Els is still just playing par golf, but he has the easier back nine to come to try to rack up some red on the scorecard.
2.15pm 
Live leaderboard
-10 Scott Hend
-9 Ernie Els
-8 Javier Colomo, Mark Foster, Jbe Kruger, Cameron Smith, Raphael Jacquelin
-7 Kevin Phelan, Angelo Que, Daan Huizing,  Marcus Fraser 
-6 five players
Things are starting to shake up at the top, with Mark Foster off to a flier on the back nine - five consecutive birdies - to join a group on -8 that also now includes Raphael Jacquelin. Jbe Kruger has also just joined them with his fourth birdie of the day on 12
Ernie Els just ticking over, level par with one birdie and one bogey.

1.30pm 
Live leaderboard
-10 Scott Hend
-9 Ernie Els
-8 Javier Colomo, Cameron Smith
-7 Lucas Bjerregard, Angelo Que, Daan Huizing, Wade Ormsby, Raphael Jacquelin
-6 seven players
Australian Scott Hend is off to a flier - birdie-birdie-birdie to take the outright lead on -10. 
His playing partner Cameron Smith started with a bogey but has got one back with two birdies in a row.
Patient start from Ernie Els and Raphael Jacquelin, both opening with two pars. But Jacquelin almost chipped in for eagle on 3 and has a tap-in for birdie. 
 
1.20pm 
Live leaderboard
-9 Scott Hend, Ernie Els
-8 Javier Colomo
-7 Lucas Bjerregard, Angelo Que, Daan Huizing, Wade Ormsby, Cameron Smith, Raphael Jacquelin
-6 seven players
Overnight leader Ernie Els has just teed off with Raphael Jacquelin as he aims to stretch his lead. Scott Hend, in the group in front, is off to a flier with birdies at 1 and 2 to join Els on -9.
Round of the day so far is from Spaniard Javier Colomo, who shot a six-under 64 featuring five birdies and an eagle to move up to -8.

He has his wife Cristina caddying for him this weekend. They've been married four years and she caddies for him fairly regularly. Most men play golf to get away from the missus, but it clearly works for them.
"She helps me to stay patient, to read the greens and we're enjoying the course. It's difficult because we're together 24 hours, but we're experienced working together."
Colomo has a good record here at Hong Kong and could definitely be in the mix over the weekend.
"I'm enjoying this course every year, it's a marvellous city, and I think it suits me because it's a bit shorter. 
"I've been playing well but today the putts were going in and that made the difference."
 
 
 
11:30am
Still pretty quiet out there on the course, with the leading groups not out for another hour or so.
Of the early starters, Spain's Javier Colomo and South Korea's Mo Joong-kyung have made the biggest moves, five under for the day to reach -6 and -5 respectively. 
Colomo had an eagle 3 at the third plus birdies on 7,8 and 10, while Mo has hit six birdies with three holes to play. 
England's James Heath was four under after day one, but he's now three over after a 73 yesterday and going four over with six to play today.
10:15am
Welcome to our coverage of day 3 of the Hong Kong Open, where Ernie Els leads by two shots on nine under par.
The South African four-time major winner tees off at 13:03 with France's Raphael Jacquelin (-7). 
Also in -7 in the group behind are Australian pair Cameron Smith and Scott Hend, followed by 11 players on -6 and a further tranche on -5.
There's only a few groups out on course at the moment on a bright, warm day at Fanling. 
We'll post regular update throughout the morning before upping the pace when the leading groups come out in the afternoon. 
Meanwhile, catch up on all our coverage of day one and day two here.
Highlights of Rd 2: 

 


Scott Hend becomes first Australian Hong Kong Open winner since 1983

Scrapping for every cent to keep cherished European Tour card

Scott Hend wins Hong Kong Open with victory over Angelo Que in play-off

Hong Kong Golf Club has a fascinating past, but future remains cloudy

Hong Kong Open 2014

Marcus Fraser shoots 65 in first tournament for eight months to lead Hong Kong Open

Ernie Els had a frustrating day. Photo: Richard Castka

Scott Hend chips out of a bunker. Photo: Richard Castka

Marcus Fraser has been out with a hand injury. Photo: Richard Castka

Ernie Els talks with his caddie. Photo: Richard Castka

Scott Hend chucks a wood away in disgust. Photo: Richard Castka

Marcus Fraser fires into the 18th green. Photo: Richard Castka

Rookie pro Cameron Smith tees off. Photo: Richard Castka

Raphael Jacquelin is playing with Ernie Els. Photo: Richard Castka

Ernie Els tees off as he tries to stretch his lead. Photo: Richard Castka

Javier Colomo and his caddy wife Cristina. Photo: Richard Castka.

Scott Hend is off to a flier. Photo: Richard Castka

'Big Easy' cruises to the top at Fanling

Australian Cameron Smith, who is well in contention going into today's third round, plays his shot at a picturesque Hong Kong Open at Fanling. Photo: Richard Castka

Ernie Els is sitting pretty as the topurnament heads into the third round on Saturday. Photo: Richard Castka

Miguel Angel Jimenez and Nicolas Colsaerts enjoy the second round of the tournament. Photo: Richard Castka

Scott Hend tees off from the 11th hole in the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling and the Australian shares second on the leaderboard with a two-day total of 133. Photo: Richard Castka 

Lu Wei-chih of Taiwan fires a decent second round of 68 for a total of 134, making the cut. Photo: Richard Castka

Raphael Jacquelin shares second on the leaderboard with two Australians, Scott Hend and Cameron Smith. Photo: Richard Castka

Miguel Angel Jimenez looking for the toilet during the second round. Photo: Richard Castka

Why 2002 major winner Rich Beem has no problems with being one of golf's one-hit wonders

Rich Beem lines up a putt during the second round of the Hong Kong Open at Fanling. Photo: Richard Castka

Rich Beem enjoys the Fanling course on the second day of the annual Hong Kong Open tournament. Photo: Richard Castka

American Rich Beem hoists the Wanamaker Trophy after capturing the 84th PGA Championship at Hazeltine in Chaska Minnesota in 2002. Photo: AP 

'Big Dolphin' Prom Meesawat bags bubbly bonus

Thailand's Prom Meesawat surprises himself when he fired his ace at "The Trap" at Fanling, winning a magnum of champagne. Photo: Richard Caskta 

Ernie Els leads Hong Kong Open by two shots after sizzling 65

Ernie Els chips onto a green. Photo: Richard Castka

Ernie Els is the man to beat going into Day 3. Photo: Richard Castka

Ernie Els says the course is there for the taking after a 65. Photo: Richard Castka

Taiwan's Lu Wei-chihc had a 68 to lie -6. Photo: Richard Castka. 

Raphael Jacquelin is in the hunt at -7

Hong Kong Open ticks all the boxes so how come there's no love from sponsors?

Matt Kuchar, Padraig Harrington, Rory Mcllroy, Y.E. Yang and Paul Lawrie are some of the big stars who have graced centre stage at the Hong Kong Open when it had UBS as a title sponsor. Photo: Sam Tsang

Miguel Angel Jimenez won the Hong Kong Open four times, while Northern Irishman Rory McIlory missed the cut in 2012. Photo: Reuters 

Scot Colin Montgomerie won the Hong Kong Open in 2005. Photo: Robert Ng

Retief Goosen playing in the pro-am day ahead of the start of the Hong Kong Open in Fanling in 2006. Photo: SCMP Pictures 

Sport

Golf

Australian making comeback from hand injury leads on -11; four-time major winner Ernie Els struggles to a 71 to lie three shots back


.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Review | Marcus Fraser shoots 65 in first tournament for eight months to lead Hong Kong Open

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Australian making comeback from hand injury leads on -11; four-time major winner Ernie Els struggles to a 71 to lie three shots back

Review | Marcus Fraser shoots 65 in first tournament for eight months to lead Hong Kong Open

Australian making comeback from hand injury leads on -11; four-time major winner Ernie Els struggles to a 71 to lie three shots back