The Hangzhou Open enters the decisive stretch with significant Spanish prominence. Víctor Pastor (-14) has moved into third place after a solid round of 68 strokes in the penultimate round and will face Sunday just one stroke behind the lead shared by Lukas Nemecz and Julian Perico (-15). The Cordoban, seeking his first professional title on the HotelPlanner Tour, has a golden opportunity to break that barrier at 30 years old and make a huge leap towards the DP World Tour.
Pastor signed a card this Saturday with five birdies and just one bogey, showing a consistency that has been lacking during the second half of the season. This Sunday, he not only battles for a ticket to the Grand Final in Mallorca —which he is currently on the brink of— but also a real fight to claim his first victory on the circuit.
The Spaniard has been close to that victory on several occasions. Not long ago, this very year, he was second in the Challenge de Cádiz, just one stroke behind Rocco Repetto. Now, with 18 holes ahead, Pastor will again be in one of the star groups on Sunday with all options open.
Behind him, Sebastián García Rodríguez (-12) also keeps his aspirations very much alive. The Madrilenian delivered a card of 71 strokes in the third round, with five birdies and four bogeys, leaving him in sixth position, three strokes off the lead. Sebas, who has already secured his place for Mallorca and is ranked 21st in the Road to Mallorca, wants to cap off a fantastic season by breaking into the top twenty of the year and, why not, also lifting his first victory.
Borja Virto (-9) remains in the top 15 after a somewhat more irregular round but still has chances to climb on Sunday. The Navarrese needs a final effort to place himself at least among the top five to improve his position and keep alive the hope of making it to the Final in Mallorca.
A worse day was had by Albert Boneta (-6), with one over par for the day, starting from 47th position in the Road and, with today’s result, would momentarily be out of the 45 qualifiers who will access the Final. The Catalan will need an outstanding round on Sunday to regain ground and keep his aspirations alive.
There are 18 holes ahead, and the Spanish Armada has much at stake in Hangzhou. From Pastor and Sebas, who are seeking their first major title, to Boneta or Virto, who are fighting for a spot in the Grand Final, Sunday promises high emotions in China.
