SEOUL (South Korea): Rickie Fowler moved four strokes clear after the third round of the Korea Open on Saturday as US Open champion and joint overnight leader Rory McIlroy slipped down the field.
Fowler, the 2010 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, started the day in a five-way split for the lead along with McIlroy and defending champion YE Yang, before posting an eight-under 63 that leaves the American at 13 under for the tournament.
Yang, playing in front of his home crowd, is four shots back after a four-under 67 left him clear in second, two strokes ahead of fellow South Korean Kim Meen-whee, who went round in 66.
McIlroy struggled round the course to post a two-over 73, leaving him tied for fourth, 10 shots off the pace. A nightmare run of four bogies and one double bogey between the 9th and 16th holes all but rules out the prospect of the Northern Irishman improving on his third-place finish in 2009.
Fowler had no such problems as his eight birdies put him out of sight of the chasing pack.
“It’s long been a dream of mine to win a professional title,” Fowler said. “I want to take the opportunity that I have at the moment.”
Yang, the only Asian to win a major, birdied six holes but bogies at the 3rd and 17th left the Korean with much to do on Sunday.
Bronson La’Cassie of Australia, also five under after two rounds, emulated McIlroy by shooting a 73. (Agencies)