Que fires 69 for joint third in HK

MANILA, Philippines - Angelo Que charged back into contention with a blistering windup, shooting a 69 to gain a share of third and moving two strokes behind new leader Marcus Fraser of Australia in the third round of the Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling yesterday.

Que rallied with four birdies at the back to turn a one-over 35 into a fighting three-under card that put the Filipino ace back in the title hunt after falling behind with a shaky 69 midway through following an impressive bogey-free 65 start in the $1.3 million event.

The Filipino ace totaled a nine-under 201 to join three others at third, including erstwhile leader Ernie Els, who slowed down with a 70, reviving his hopes to ending a winless campaign this season.

Three behind Els at the start of the day, Que birdied No. 3 to close in but tumbled down again on errant drives and missed green bogeys on Nos. 6 and 9. But the three-time Asian Tour leg winner fought back with birdies on Nos. 10, 13, 16 and 17 while saving pars twice to wheel back into title contention.

But with so many players staying just two or three strokes behind, a wild finish is expected with Que realizing a dream duel with Els in second-to-last flight with Jbe Kruger, who had a 66.

Que missed six fairways, including on Nos. 6 and 9, but scrambled for five pars, including three at the back that kept him in the hunt.

Fraser also hit four birdies coming home to spike his 65 for a 199, one shot ahead of compatriot Scott Hend, who had a 67, while Els settled for an even par card after a 66 and 65 to drop into a tie with Que, Kruger, also of South Africa, and England’s Mark Foster (66).

Foster fumbled with a two-over 36 at the front but birdied seven of eight holes at the back, missing completing a fiery windup when he bogeyed the par-4 18 for the second straight day for that 66.