Haotong Li tops Rory McIlroy to win Dubai Desert Classic

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HONOLULU – Tom Hoge had never held a 54-hole lead on the PGA TOUR before Saturday but he has held the 36-hole lead – with Tiger Woods. Hoge’s third round 6-under 64 at Waialae Country Club, after opening 65-65, has him one clear at the top of a stacked leaderboard. Given Waialae often gives up multiple birdie chances, all 13 players within six shots of the lead would fancy their chances on Sunday. But Hoge starts in front. One clear of Patton Kizzire and Brian Harman. With Kyle Stanley (two back), Chris Kirk (three back) and Russell Knox and Ollie Schniederjans (four back) the nearest other challengers. All but Schniederjans are already PGA TOUR winners so he has his work cut out for him. Hoge will try to learn from his experience with Woods – back at the 2015 Wyndham Championship – where he was unable to keep pace amongst the heat of competition. Back then he shot a 2-over 72 when paired with Woods to drop to T21 and out of the mix. Woods shot 68 that day to remain in contention. (Ultimately Woods finished T10). “Looking back, I started the week 130th in the FedExCup so I needed to have a good day, and I didn’t play as well as I needed to on the weekend,â€� Hoge recalled of his round with Woods. “It’s all perspective in professional golf. To go through that environment and to play in that makes it easier for the next time.â€� He’s certainly a better player for it now. And one who has had more experience in the clutch. Like at the Web.com TOUR Championship last year when he needed to make a late charge to even get his TOUR card. He birdied seven of his last 12 holes to make it. “I started the day somewhere around 30th and I was like one over through seven holes or something. I was looking like it was going to be back to the Web.com,â€� he said. “Finally pulled off a few good shots to get things going. I got to the last hole, and I saw that I was probably out if I missed the putt, and I got a 15-footer and made it. “Events like that kind of go under the radar. I didn’t win the tournament, but to pull it off – it is a lot bigger playing for your job next year than winning a tournament sometimes.â€� Tomorrow he will try to secure the win and his job for at least another two years. CALL OF THE DAY OBSERVATIONS SPIETH TRUSTING PUTTING PROCESS: The ball just hasn’t been going in the hole for Jordan Spieth in Hawaii (short of a miracle 91-footer Friday) but he’s working hard at correcting his putting woes going forward. After needing 30 putts in Round 1 and 33 in Round 2, Spieth used the flatstick 31 times on Saturday during a 4-under 66. He made just 56 feet of putts in Round 3, the longest being 6 feet, 9 inches. As such he sits nine shots off the pace. “Stay patient, it’s a process. I’m getting back to the setup and comfort level that I had in 2015 and ’16 that went away a bit last year,â€� he explained. “I’m very pleased that Cameron (coach) did some unbelievable research and video recovery to figure out where things need adjustment to get back to being able to stroke it with freedom. It’s just going to take some rounds. I thought today was close, I just didn’t hit putts hard enough. Every single putt I missed, I missed low. So I’ve got to go out tomorrow and make that adjustment and take higher lines.â€� KIZZIRE CONTINUES CLUTCH SEASON: Patton Kizzire lost the FedExCup lead last week but the OHL Classic at Mayakoba champion wants it back. Now third on the list behind Pat Perez and Dustin Johnson, Kizzire can wrestle the top spot back easily given the other two are not in the field. He’s just 48 points off top spot. “The focus has started to move towards the FedExCup. Guys are really focusing on that and to get a leg up and kind of get a fast start,â€� Kizzire said. “I’m chasing that trophy. Everybody wants to be No. 1 at the end of the year and to play well coming down the stretch at the TOUR Championship. That’s a goal of mine, and I’m looking forward to that.â€� FINAU MAKES FIRST ACE: Tony Finau had made 10 holes-in-one in his life before Saturday but never one on the PGA TOUR. That changed on the par-3 17th hole at Waialae. His 8-iron from 179 yards was perfect. “I put some height on it because I knew that was the only way I was going to stop it on that green. I think most of the complaints on that green are because the ball doesn’t stop,â€� Finau said. “I just hit a perfect shot. The chances of that happening in a tournament is pretty cool. That was a special moment for me.â€� Finau still clearly remembers his first ace. “I was 9 years old – the Blue course at Doral on the 15th. I was playing a little Doral junior public links. Hit like an 8 iron from 115 yards and one-hopped in.â€� NOTABLES Justin Thomas – The defending champion shot a 4-under 66 to move to 10-under in a tie for ninth. “There’s a lot of birdie holes left. You can definitely go low out here, and I know that I can, but it’s just a matter of doing it. I’m glad that I’ve put myself in somewhat of a position to be in contention a little bit.â€� Brian Harman – The 36-hole leader sits just one shot off the pace after a solid 68. “Just a little looser today,â€� he said. “Missed a few tee shots and didn’t have as many chances as I wanted to. But I’ve got a feeling tomorrow is going to be all right.â€� Sam Saunders – Arnold Palmer’s grandson is an outside chance at a maiden PGA TOUR win after rounds of 67-67-66 have him T9 and six back. QUOTABLES I was like, if it’s my time, it’s my time.Part of you thinks get a Mai-Tai, go to the beach and get a front row seat.I was a little more uncomfortable today than I thought I would be. Hopefully, I’ll settle down a little bit tomorrow.I scored very nicely yesterday but just was kind of nervy. I just woke up this morning, and I was like why am I nervous? I mean, I just shot 64.It’s funny because I played a little bit, and then I got married on December 3rd. So a couple of weeks off and then I came back after that, and I didn’t feel like I knew which end of the club was right. SUPERLATIVES Low round: 7-under 63 – Webb Simpson made a move up to T9 with his round featuring an eagle, six birdies and just one bogey.   Longest drive: 369 yards – Justin Thomas on the par-4 14th. He made birdie.   Longest putt: 63 feet, 5 inches – Matt Jones on the par-4 12th for a birdie. Easiest hole: The par-5 ninth played at 4.368 with two eagles, 51 birdies, 20 pars, two bogeys and one other. Hardest hole: The par-3 11th played at 3.303 with seven birdies, 40 pars, 28 bogeys and 1 double bogey.

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