German Caroline Masson need only look at compatriot Martin Kaymer at this year’s Abu Dhabi Championship to know no lead is safe going into the final round of a tournament, but does not expect Shanshan Feng to capitulate on Saturday.
The Chinese world No6 leads the Ladies Masters by five shots over second-placed Thidapa Sumannapura and 10 ahead of Masson after Friday’s third round.
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That could be considered as a safe enough margin over 18 holes, but then Kaymer was 10 shots ahead midway through his final round in the capital in January, and yet collapsed to post a 75 and finish third behind champion Gary Stal.
Masson, who has been third twice in this tournament with Feng winning on both occasions (2012 and 2014), matched the defending champion’s five-under par 67 round Friday, but isn’t preparing herself for a fairytale finish today.
“I just don’t think about it that way. What I have to do is focus on myself and shoot a good round. That’s all I want to do and that’s all I want to think about,” said Masson.
“I’m not wishing a round like Kaymer’s to anybody, and plus I don’t think that Shanshan is even able to shoot a bad round here.
Shanshan Feng leads five strokes ahead of Suwannapura going into the final round of @OmegaDLM @letgolf pic.twitter.com/hxDxcEaZWo
— Emirates Golf Club (@EmiratesGC) December 11, 2015
“I’m very relaxed about it. You’re not hoping for someone to do really, really bad. It’s about me tomorrow. You can’t influence what other people do, and that’s why I don’t really want to think about it.”
Masson opened with a 69 in the first round, but probably shot herself out of contention with a three-over par 75 round on Thursday.
After Friday’s a round of six birdies and one bogey, she added: “Coming into this tournament, obviously I’m here to win, but I know, first of all, I have to beat Shanshan. This golf course, I guess it’s perfect for her. She just goes out and you know she’s going to pretty much shoot five-under every day. You have to assume that.
“With a bad round and being 10 shots back, you know that you probably can’t win this tournament anymore, which is okay. It’s my fault. But I knew I would have to play my best golf to keep up with her. I’m not really looking at her. It’s just about getting a few shots back and finish as good as I can.
“I am playing for second, which sounds bad, but you know it’s not when Shanshan is here.”
