DP World Tour
Fitzpatrick Leads Volvo China Open into Final Sunday: Two-Shot Lead at Enhance Anting
Alex Fitzpatrick has seized control of the Volvo China Open after 54 holes, posting -9 and a two-shot lead over Spain's Eugenio Chacarra heading into Sunday's finale at Enhance Anting GC. Fitzpatrick carded -3 in round three to edge clear, while a weather-affected day saw movement across the leaderboard with mixed scoring patterns.
The field is bunched tightly behind the leaders. Ugo Coussaud, MJ Daffue, and Andy Sullivan all sit at -5, three shots adrift, with Francesco Molinari and Ewen Ferguson lurking at -3. This remains wide open for a Sunday shootout.
Our Pre-Tournament Pick
No pre-event selection on record for this event. We'll focus entirely on final-round betting angles and value plays from the current 54-hole position.
Who's in Contention
Fitzpatrick's two-shot advantage gives him room to manage Sunday, though Chacarra remains within striking distance at -7. The Spaniard shot +3 in round three and will need a fast start to apply pressure.
The real intrigue sits deeper. Coussaud, Daffue, and Sullivan are clustered at -5, just one back of Chacarra. Coussaud posted -3 in round three despite a tricky day, suggesting solid form down the stretch. Daffue had a quieter round at +1, while Sullivan's -1 showed restraint. One birdie run from any of these three could force Fitzpatrick's hand. Molinari and Ferguson, both at -3, cannot be written off on a compact Enhance Anting layout where one hot putter changes everything.
Final Round Betting Angles
Fitzpatrick to win outright remains the percentage play. Two shots is a meaningful cushion in a 72-hole event, and his -3 round three was precisely the kind of controlled scoring needed when leading. He's the clear chalk.
Chacarra at 16/1 offers back-to-book value for a player only two behind with course position and form. His +3 round three was his worst of the week, but he sits -7 overall with a real chance to rampage on Sunday if Fitzpatrick stalls. Each-way appeals if you fancy a non-favourite fracas.
The Coussaud-Daffue-Sullivan cluster at -5 presents a punter's dilemma. Coussaud's -3 round three is the strongest recent form signal, yet all three are eight-to-one shots or wider to win outright. One of them breaking through would yield chunky returns. Watch for Sunday's pin positions and early moving day scores.
Our Updated Pick
Odds: TBC โ Best Available
Fitzpatrick leads by two with 18 holes to play on a course that doesn't demand drama. His round-three -3 while holding the lead is precisely the tempo you want Sunday. At -9, he has room to par his way home against chasers bunched at -7 and -5. Experience and position align.