Que way off in HK tiff despite 69; Rai six up

MANILA, Philippines — Angelo Que hit a late birdie to card a 69 but stood too far behind Englishman Aaron Rai, who moved closer to completing a Hong Kong Open romp with a 68 for a whopping six-stroke lead over compatriots Matthew Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood after three rounds at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling yesterday.

Que, who rebounded from an opening 71 with a 68 Friday, barely checked a rollercoaster round of five birdies against the same number of bogeys in the first 13 holes with another birdie on No. 17, his 36-33 kept him way off Rai at joint 41st at 208.

That was 14 shots off Rai, who slowed down with a 68 after a 65 and a course-record breaking 61 to pool a 194, six-strokes ahead of Fleetwood, who rallied with a 66, and Fitzpatrick, who also turned in three under card, for identical 200s.

Spanish ace Sergio Garcia also moved to joint fourth at 201 after an eagle-spiked 64 but the former Masters champion needs to come up with a stronger finishing kick to overhaul a seven-stroke deficit with 18 holes left to play in the $2 million event.

American Patrick Reed, this year’s US Masters champ, failed to score a follow-up to his second round 65, settling for a 69 for joint 53rd.