Robert MacIntyre overcame tricky conditions to grab a share of the lead before play was suspended due to fading light on the weather-affected third day of the 2023 Korea Championship Presented by Genesis.
After morning fog and rain caused the afternoon tee times to be pushed back by two hours and 15 minutes, the third round was beset by strong winds, with no-one able to keep their cards clean as Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea really showed its teeth.
But that did not faze the Scot, who pulled off a series of tremendous wedge shots to help him sign for a 69 just before the daylight ran out.
MacIntyre heads into day four on eight under par, tied at the top of the leaderboard alongside Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal, who has two holes to complete when play resumes at 08.00 local time on Sunday morning.
Halfway co-leader and home favourite Park Sanghyun was in a tie for third, one shot behind the leaders, after making three birdies and four bogeys in his first 14 holes. Scotland’s Scott Jamieson was also on seven under, having made two birdies and one bogey in his third-round 71.
Adrian Meronk, Richard Mansell and Marcus Helligkilde were safely in the clubhouse on six under.
Player Quotes
Robert MacIntyre: It was absolutely brilliant to be honest. I surprised myself with some of the shots. Even that one on 18, it was just kind of cut, spin it and it just came out dead straight. But it’s got so much spin on it and that helps.
I left myself in the right spots, always into wind. On 17 it was a bit more difficult. It wasn’t sitting, I didn’t get the preferred lie, so it wasn’t perfect. It was sitting higher and popped a little on me. But you know what? It was overall a really good round of golf.
Mike (caddie) said to me going out, if we can get in around level par, we’re still in with a shout. He was right. We just we hung in there. It’s an attitude. It’s a big attitude. This weekend, you got to be positive. Tomorrow’s going to be the same no matter where we end up. Just stay positive and give it your best.
Scott Jamieson: I didn’t want to have to get up early to do a full warm up, have to sit for a few hours and then do another full warm up. I’m grateful that we had the opportunity to hit the tee shot (on 18).
It helps (to have experience) because your expectations drop and your acceptance levels increase. Yesterday there were a lot of chances for birdies, but I knew they would be few and far between today. My short game was good, when I missed greens I hit some really nice chips. That was the key.
I don’t know if I can claim to be Scottish any more, I have been freezing all week. I have gone soft with too much warm sunshine in Florida. But I’ve had my fair share of experience playing in this weather, so that probably helps.
Adrian Meronk: Yeah, it was super, difficult today. I knew it from the beginning, so my mindset was just to be patient, play smart shots. And it was a lot of grinding out there.
I made a stupid double on 11. Couldn’t commit to my tee shots. But after that I played pretty solid and actually had a couple of more good looks for birdies, but yeah, I’m still pretty happy.
