Is the China Open 18th grandstand the luckiest in golf?

Or perhaps it's just South African luck...

Andy Roberts's picture
Sat, 29 Apr 2017

South African duo Dylan Frittelli and George Coetzee benefitted from fortuitous bounces off the giant 18th grandstand during the third round of the China Open.

Coetzee sent his second shot well left of the green only to see his ball ricochet comically off the stands and run all the way up to the pin for a resulting eagle-three.

“It’s always nice to get some luck and nice bounces," said Coetzee, who sits 9-under par in a tie for seventh after 54 holes.

"It certainly wasn’t the best of irons and I needed the help. I certainly got it and a few more of those tomorrow would be great.”

 

 

Some 20 minutes later his compatriot Frittelli experienced something similar, albeit leaving a longer putt for eagle. 

Frittelli would two putt to post a superb third-round 64 and take a three-shot lead into the final round on 19-under.

The in-form South African, who has finished inside the top 30 in his first five starts of his European Tour season, has played his last 36 holes at Topwin Golf & CC in 17-under.