Henrik Stenson three shots off Indonesia lead as Justin Rose stays on course for world No 1 return
Rose, who sits in a share of fourth, needs a top-12 finish in Jakarta to replace Brooks Koepka as world No 1
Sunday 16 December 2018 09:30, UK
Henrik Stenson moved within striking distance of winning the Indonesian Masters after a third-round, five-birdie 68, as defending champion Justin Rose stayed on track for a return to the world No 1 ranking.
The Swede, playing in Indonesia for the first time, picked up four birdies on a flawless front nine before he atoned a bogey at the par-three 15th with a closing gain to sit three behind Thai Poom Saksansin.
Rose, who needs a top-12 finish to ensure he replaces Brooks Koepka at the summit of the men's game, followed a pair of 68s with a one-under 71 to earn a share of fourth place at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
Stenson began the day five adrift of overnight leader Saksansin, winner in 2016, but after a birdie at the par-five second the experienced European enjoyed a run of three birdies from the seventh to hit the turn in a four-under 32.
Despite a first dropped shot of the day at the 15th - his second consecutive bogey at the hole this week - Stenson finished with his 17th birdie of the week so far.
Saksansin stormed to the top of the leaderboard after an astounding nine-under 63 on day two but he was unable to maintain those stellar heights as he settled for a two-under 70.
Live European Tour Golf
The 25-year-old, who defeated Open champion Stenson at the EurAsia Cup in Malaysia, mixed two birdies at the third and sixth with a bogey at the fifth before coming home with a further gain at the 14th.
Rose is seven shots behind Saksansin after he mixed birdies at the second and ninth with a bogey-five at the third, before losing a shot at the 15th and closing with a birdie to leave him at nine-under par.
Saksansin's compatriot Jazz Janewattananond is in third place - at 10-under par - after a three-under 69 with Rose to be joined by Thai duo Panuphol Pittayarat and Jakraphan Premsirigorn, who are also at nine under for the week, during the final round.
Watch final round coverage of the Indonesian Masters, live on Sky Sports Golf from 5am on Sunday morning, to see if Justin Rose can return to world No 1.
