Justin Rose of Great Britain soared to the lead on eagles’ wings.
Rose eagled the third and fifth holes en route to a 6-under-par 65 to take a one-stroke lead over Henrik Stenson of Sweden heading to the final round of the Men’s Olympic Tournament on the Olympic Golf Course in Rio de Janeiro.
“It was tough out there today because the wind was coming from the opposite direction,” said Rose, the 2013 U.S. Open champion. “The course was set up really hard and was playing very long.
“To shoot 65 was really good and I’m delighted to have played well for three days to give myself a chance tomorrow. … This definitely compares (to the major championships), especially since it comes only once every four years.
Rose, who chipped in for eagle on the third hole and sank a 20-foot eagle putt on the fifth, had a 54-hole total of 12-under 201.
Stenson, who captured his first major last month in the Open Championship at Royal Troon, eagled the fifth hole and added three birdies while playing the back nine in 33 while carding a second straight 66.
“It was a tough afternoon with this wind, there are some long holes out there, but I was able to play a solid back nine,” said Stenson, the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 5 in the world.
“It will be fun to play with my Ryder Cup partner and friend Justin tomorrow. We’re both going for the same thing and there are some others guys in there, so I have to play my best if I want to win. I’m playing well and expected to be in contention.”
Marcus Fraser of Australia, who led after each of the first two rounds, made his only birdie on the 13th hole in a 72 and was three shots back in solo third, while Bubba Watson led the American contingent with a 67 that left him six strokes behind in a tie for fourth with Emiliano Grillo of Argentina and David Lingmerth of Sweden, who both shot 68.
Matt Kuchar gave the U.S. another player in the top 10 with a 69 that put him seven shots down in a tie for seventh with Mikko Ilonen (66) of Finland, Padraig Harrington (67) of Ireland, Rafa Cabrera Bello (71) of Spain and Gregory Bourdy (72) of France.
Rickie Fowler of Murrieta bounced back from a 75-71 start with a 64, best score of the day, that included an eagle on the ninth hole and seven birdies to tie for 14th, but was nine strokes back.
“If I go out and play well tomorrow, I could sneak in there (for a medal),” said Fowler, who sank a 22-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole and finished with a 15-footer for a closing birdie.
“Be nice to continue that. That would be kind of a jump-start to where I want things to go. It would be nice to get off to a good, solid start tomorrow. Right now, I’m excited.”
Patrick Reed, the fourth American, shot 73 and was tied for 36th.
