'I was pretty far down' - Rasmus Hojgaard recovers from horror start to retain lead at Open de France

On a wild day of golf he is likely to remember for a long time, Rasmus Hojgaard showed a big-game temperament to retain his place at the top of the Open de France leaderboard. The young Dane had played near-flawless golf for two days to open up a six-shot lead at Le Golf National. Ad It was his tournament to lose, and he did his best to try and do that with a wild opening to his third round.

Cazoo Open de FranceHojgaard hits three balls in water on one hole, throws away six-shot lead4 HOURS AGO Hojgaard hit three shots in the water on the second hole to card a quintuple-bogey eight. On the following tee shot he found water once again and walked off that green one behind the lead. «To be fair I was pretty far down,» Hojgaard said of his feelings after three holes.

«It was pretty tough, but I had to try to tell myself that I played good the first two days and should not let it bother me. »I just tried my best to stay in and hit some good shots." Such a shocking start could have crushed many players, but he steadied the ship and found a run of five birdies to establish a lead on the 18th hole. After finding the rough off the tee, a lengthy conversation took place between player and caddie.

Hojgaard wanted to go for glory — a long shot over the water — while his caddie favoured a lay-up. With a three-shot lead, the lay-up was the sensible play and the caddie won the argument. Hojgaard made a bogey but he will have a one-shot lead going into the final day.

«I was proud of myself,» Hojgaard said. «It was an annoying finish with a bogey on 18, it was a tough grind, but I am proud I made a few birdies along the way.» Third round Leaderboard 1. Rasmus Hojgaard, 12-under 2.