Yesterday's expectation that the four overnight leaders would battle it out for victory in the BMW Asian Open at the Tomson Pudong Club in Shanghai took an early knock on the final day.
Conditions had been forecast to be similar to Saturday's, but the players arrived on the course to find a stiff breeze blowing in place of yesterday’s gentle zephyr. If the wind picks up throughout the day, as it might well do, it will provide very difficult playing conditions for the current leaders.
All of the early starters lost further strokes, and by lunchtime only Lucquin of France was under par from the first fifteen parings, although behind him England's Oliver Wilson, playing alongside Major winner Michael Campbell, had picked up two birdies and dropped no strokes in a bogey-free front nine.
English-born Australian Adam Blyth was looking forward to the biggest moment yet in his short career, having been drawn to play alongside one of his boyhood heroes, the great Greg Norman.
"This is going to be a great opportunity," said Adam. "I'm doing well this season, and I've already qualified for The Open. This is going to be good experience."
Adam's father Stephen will be delighted at Adam's draw, and perhaps a little crestfallen. A huge fan of Greg Norman, Stephen normally caddies for Adam, and would have loved the opportunity to walk the course alongside one of the golfing greats, but a trip to Thailand means he has missed out on today’s opportunity.
A difficult day is in prospect of Adam. He dropped seven strokes on the front nine, and had to wait till the 10th for his first birdie of the day. But the experience of concentrating on his own game while the spectators wander off as soon as Norman has played his shot will stand him in good stead if he finds himself partnered with any of the top draws at Royal Birkdale.
Early movers among the later groupings were John Bickerton, Scott Hend, and Digvijay Singh, who all notched early birdies. Second–round leader Zhang Lianwei of China had a disastrous start, having to wait till the eighth hole to record his first par. His run of seven bogeys dropped him to six-over.
(David Ferguson for China.org.cn April 27, 2008)
