Danish star, Thorbjorn Olesen, yesterday, increased his lead at the on-going Turkish Airlines Open Golf Championship despite dropping a stroke at the last hole.

Olesen, who led the pack by six points after Friday’s exertions at the $7 million championship, increased the gap to seven points after the third round at the magnificent Regnum Carya Golf Course, even when he sent a wild drive into the trees at the 18th hole, which restricted him to 3-under 68 and 18-under for a total of 195.

Africa’s main challenger for a big share of the pie, George Coetze, reignited his claim for success when he holed a big putt for a birdie three at the final hole as he marched to a six-birdie 66 to get back into contention.
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Coming in late into the competition acknowledged that his best possible finish would be the second place.

He said: “I will need a course record to have any hope of catching Olesen, but at least I am in the mix for a high finish.”

Coetze is only a shot behind joint second-placed Bernd Wiesberger (Austria), U.S’ David Lipsky, China’s Li Haotong, England’s David Horsey and Italy’s Matteo Manassero, all on 202.

Masters champion, Danny Willett, the only player in the top three of the money list competing in the championship following the withdrawal of number one, Henrik Stenson and third-ranked Rory McIlroy, carded a 68 for 211.

Coetzee birdied holes 4, 7, 11, 12, 15 and 18, with his only bogey of the day coming at No 8, a tricky par-3 yesterday.