front nine

A bogey-free front nine on Sunday was completed in two under par but a big finish was still required.

Rahm had surged ahead with a five-under 31 on the front nine.

The unfamiliar winds of the first two days undid the maxim that scores are made on the front nine and retained, if you are good enough, on the ultra-challenging inward half.

The player Schauffele had to track down was Thriston Lawrence of South Africa, who birdied three of four holes to end the front nine with a 32.

Scottie Scheffler, who got within one shot of the lead briefly on the front nine, lost his way with a three-putt from 6 feet for a double bogey on the ninth hole.