Staff WriterWhen the final curtain falls on Sunday at the Hainan Classic, two unlikely co-stars will stride to the 18th green, each harbouring dreams of lifting their first DP World Tour trophy.
This Hainan Classic showdown has Marco Penge and hometown hero Bowen Xiao roaring to 12 under par after both carded a sublime seven-under-65 in Saturday’s third round at Mission Hills Haikou, with 2023 Betfred British Masters champion Daniel Hillier lurking just a shot behind.
Eagle Frenzy Fuels the Lead
Marco Penge, the 26-year-old two-time HotelPlanner Tour victor, nearly self-destructed with a mis-hit driver off the deck at the sixth, only to rally with birdies at seven and 17.
But the real fireworks came on the back nine: an eagle two from 145 yards at the par-four tenth, followed by a second eagle three holes later at the par-five 12th, set the clubhouse alight and firmly planted him atop the leaderboard.
Marco Penge: I started off great. My approach play was really good today. I was in close early doors. I think I was three under through five. And then I tried to take six on and hit driver off the deck and it was probably one of the worst shots I’ve ever hit, but after that I played really solid. It was just one bad swing.
I’ve been really working this year to try and stay patient and accepting of whatever the outcome is, me and my caddy have just been trying to control the things we can control and at the end of the day, if I go and play well tomorrow or not, it’s not going to define me as a person and I just appreciate doing what I do and I love it.
Xiao’s Home-Field Confidence
Local favourite Bowen Xiao knows these fairways like the back of his putter hand. With two top-ten finishes in the HotelPlanner Tour’s Hainan Open already under his belt, the 35-year-old has built a fortress of confidence on Hainan Island.
He matched Penge shot for shot—seven under in Round 3—to prove that the Hainan Classic still has room for a homegrown champion.
Bowen Xiao: I am very happy with how I played on this course. I finished the round without a bogey so for me, it really is a perfect day.
The front nine was actually pretty steady and it wasn’t until the back nine that I slowly started to get things going.
Hillier and the Chasing Pack
A solitary stroke back sits Kiwi sensation Daniel Hillier, who added a steady 68 to his seven-under total. England’s Sam Bairstow, France’s Martin Couvra and Australia’s Elvis Smylie form a quartet on ten under, waiting in the wings. If the frontrunners falter, these dark horses are primed to gallop past.
Daniel Hillier: I’m pretty pleased with where I’m at to be honest. Not the ideal start, a couple of bogeys early on, but I just had to tell myself that if I was four back at the start of the day, I probably would have taken it. I’ve stayed patient and thankfully started playing some good golf and took advantage of the opportunities when I got them.
It’s hard work. I mean when you get back into contention and the adrenaline starts pumping, it’s like you get a little lightheaded, and you definitely feel it.
Big emphasis on just hydrating and you know, fuelling up as much as I can. I think I’ve done that pretty well.
Henry’s [his caddy] looking after me well, so that’s nice. Just do it again tomorrow and hope the good golf continues.
Final Round Drama Beckons
With the tropics heating up both on and off the course, Sunday’s finale at the Hainan Classic promises all the twists and turns that keep us coming back for more.
Is Penge going to harness that breakthrough momentum and finally hoist his maiden trophy aloft like he’s just conquered Everest?
Will Xiao, haunted by heartbreaks past, find his inner lion and charge down 18 in triumphant style?
Or might Hillier—with that glint in his eye and a putter hotter than a jalapeño—steal the show at the last gasp?
Strap yourself in, because when these three step onto the first tee tomorrow, it won’t just be a golf tournament—it’ll be a high-stakes thriller worthy of Hollywood.
