Staff WriterIn a dazzling display at the Turkish Airways Open, England’s Brandon Robinson Thompson lit up the Regnum Carya course with a breathtaking third-round 62.
That performance at the Turkish Airways Open matched the course record and vaulted the HotelPlanner Tour graduate to 14 under for the week, giving him a three-shot cushion heading into Sunday.
Course-Record Fireworks
Robinson Thompson began his surge five shots off the pace but immediately set the tone with three birdies in his first five holes, each of them courtesy of nerveless putts from inside six feet.
By the turn, another flawless approach at the ninth helped him card a 30 on the front nine—and just when you thought he might slow, he chipped in for eagle at the 12th.
“The ball felt like it was glued to my putter all day,” he later reflected. The confidence carried him through the closing stretch, where he birdied three of the last four holes, highlighted by a gut-wrenching 22-foot slider at the 16th that had fellow competitors nodding in respect.
Brandon Robinson Thompson: I just got notified (about equalling course record), and I was a bit bummed that I didn’t break it.
Obviously, I wasn’t really thinking about it, but I’m super excited again to have another nice round and get it going.
The scary part was I probably could have had a few more, but, you know, beggars can’t be choosers.
I’m here with my wife, we’re staying in a beautiful hotel, the Regnum. Course is amazing. Starting with three birdies was also really nice.
Hitting the green in two on number 10 was also really nice today, so after that, I knew it was going to be pretty good.
I mean, this is golf, this is what we have to deal with (sleeping on a lead). Like I said, it’s hard not to enjoy yourself this week.
The facilities, the course are so good, here with my wife, it’s such an incredible place. If you’re not having a good time this week, win, lose, or draw, you know, there’s something wrong.
Chasing Pack Gaining Steam
Spain’s Jorge Campillo, who started with an early bogey, rallied brilliantly to post a six-under 66. China’s Haotong Li and South Africa’s Robin Williams both birdied the last hole to sign for 68 and 67 respectively, sharing second place at 11 under.
“They kept egging each other on,” observed one gallery attendee, “and it made for some riveting golf.”
English duo Matthew Jordan and Jordan Smith, overnight leader Martin Couvra of France, and Sweden’s Mikael Lindberg lurk a further shot back at ten under, ensuring Sunday’s final round promises high drama.
Final-Round Outlook
With a three-shot advantage—and all the momentum in the world—Robinson Thompson arrives at the 18th hole Sunday in prime position.
It’s here, amid the pine-fringed fairways of the Regnum Carya, that the title of the Turkish Airways Open will be decided. Expect strategy, nerve, and perhaps a few more moments of magic as Thompson chases his maiden European Tour victory.
As the sun sets over Belek, the man holding the lead will discover whether his electrifying 62 was merely a masterclass or a prelude to glory.
Either way, the Turkish Airways Open has already been treated to one of its most memorable third rounds in recent memory—and Sunday’s finale looks set to top it all.
