Levy keeping Fleetwood at bay

Alexander Levy was holding off a charging Tommy Fleetwood as the final round of the 20th Volvo China Open began in Shenzhen.

France’s Levy began the day with a three shot lead over Alvaro Quiros as he chases a maiden European Tour title at Genzon Golf Club, with most of his work done with a second round 62 on Friday.

Three opening pars kept the 23 year old on 16 under for the week, but Fleetwood reduced his advantage to two by kicking off with a hat-trick of birdies.

The former Challenge Tour winner from England hit his approach to six feet at the first before holing putts from 25 feet at the second and third.

Quiros bogeyed the first after missing an eight footer and as a result slipped four shots off the pace to lie third alongside Mikko Ilonen.

Earlier Dane Anders Hansen threatened Levy’s course record when he turned in 30, but eventually settled for a nine under 63 which put him on course for a top-ten finish.

Danny Willett also had reason to be pleased with his day’s work as he picked up a new car for a hole-in-one at the 12th.

Levy had to wait until the sixth hole to tap-in for his first birdie after an excellent approach, but with Fleetwood having parred four holes in succession it restored his three shot lead.

Ilonen, Quiros and Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey weren’t out of it on 12 under, but all needed birdies sooner rather than later.

Fleetwood birdied the long ninth, but Levy again responded with a birdie from six feet on the 11th.

Levy’s chances then received two significant boosts in quick succession. First Fleetwood hit a wild drive into the hazard at the 13th and had to take a penalty drop, then Hoey found water from a bunker at the 16th to end his hopes of snatching the title.

Fleetwood escaped with a bogey, but Levy birdied the same hole from ten feet to hold a five shot lead with five to play: Quiros joining Fleetwood in second after a gain of his own at the 13th.