Mikko Korhonen will look to complete a remarkable comeback when he takes a one-shot lead into the final round of the Dutch Open.
The Finn is a two-time European Tour winner but stepped back from the game last summer, with his appearance in Amsterdam this week being just his third after a year away.
He has shown no signs of rust, however, and after making a hole-in-one en route to a 64 on day one, he has been on top of the leaderboard ever since, with a third-round 70 on Saturday leaving him one shot ahead of Italy’s Guido Migliozzi.
“It was really, really fun today,” he said. “I didn’t really know what to expect because I haven’t played for a while, and in the circumstances like this, so yeah it was fun.
“Just try to enjoy it. Go step by step, shot by shot. It would mean quite a lot but let’s not go there just yet.”
Korhonen responded to an opening bogey with an eagle on the third and added two further birdies and bogeys in a week where he has recorded every score from one to seven.
Migliozzi’s 66 was the lowest round of the day and left him a shot ahead of countryman Matteo Manassero, American Sean Crocker and Dane Rasmus Hojgaard.
English duo Matt Wallace and Joe Dean were then at eight under as Dean continued to write one of the stories of the season.
The 29-year-old was working as a delivery driver for Morrisons in February before he finished second in Kenya, with a top five in Belgium last month putting him in the top 60 on the Race to Dubai and on course for full playing privileges in 2025.
He could also earn himself a second Open Championship appearance seven years after finishing in a tie for 70th at Birkdale, with the top two players this week not already exempt being handed a place in the field next month at Troon.
Andrew Martin was the leading Australian, at one under par for the tournament in joint-45th place after a third-round 70, while Thomas Power Horan was two over following a 76.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/golf/finn-korhonen-leads-the-pack-at-the-dutch-open-c-15112498
