GOLF ROUNDUP : Sizzling Faldo Grabs Lead in Hong Kong

Nick Faldo shot a 9-under-par 62 today to take a three-stroke lead over Ronan Rafferty after the third round of the Johnnie Walker Classic.

Faldo had a three-round total of 11-under 202 on the 6,732-yard Royal Hong Kong Golf Club course. He had seven birdies and an eagle on the 535-yard par-5 12th hole in the third round.

Rafferty, the second-round leader, shot a 69 for a 205 total.

Faldo drove into the rough on the 12th hole and put his second shot into a bunker about 30 yards from the hole, then holed out for an eagle.

Ian Woosnam, who began the day in second place, shot a 70 and slipped into fifth place with Todd Hamilton of Cleveland at 207.

Ian Baker-Finch of Australia shot a 5-under-par 67 for a two-stroke lead after the second round of the Coolum Classic golf championship at Coolum, Australia.

Baker-Finch has a 36-hole total of 11-under 133 over the 6,951-yard Hyatt Regency resort course.

Australia’s Glenn Joyner and Britain’s Stephen Bennett were tied for second at 135.

At Palm Meadows, Australia, American Dale Eggeling shot a 5-under-par 68 to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Daikyo Australian Masters women’s golf championship.