Koepka reels back the years to join Min Woo at the top in France

Will Daly
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Brooks Koepka is looking for his first regular DP World Tour victory in over a decade (Getty Images)

Will Daly

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The top of the FedEx Open de France leaderboard sees two leaders after 54 holes as Brooks Koepka and Min Woo Lee head into final round in T1 on 11-under-par. 

Beginning the day in T2, Min Woo Lee made lightwork in reeling in 36-hole leader Marcus Armitage as the Australian found renowned form to make five birdies but succumbed to two bogeys to post a three-under-par round three.  

Lee said: “Just pretty solid again, I didn’t do anything spectacular in the back nine, just hung in there. 

“You can really get away with the moment – you’ve just got to keep hitting shots and keep mentally strong. You’ve just got to keep going until the end,” he added.  

Showcasing his prowess that saw him become a five-time major champion, Koepka posted a six-under-par round – the lowest of the day.  

Koepka was electric with the putter as he put together a string of five birdies to close out his back nine but will ultimately be disappointed to bogey the last, as the 35-year-old had the chance to be the solo leader heading into Sunday’s round.  

“I feel like my game has been trending in the right direction. It’s just the results haven’t been there. I’m pleased with the work I’ve put in over the last few months so hopefully got a chance to win tomorrow,” said Koepka.  

“I’ve felt very uncomfortable over the putts pretty much all year, just a little bit of hand position. We’ve got it sorted now where I feel like I’m striking the putts very well, hitting them on line and feeling confident and that’s honestly half the battle,” he added.  

36-hole leader Marcus Armitage dropped back to T3 after posting a respectable even-par round to take the 38-year-old to 10-under par. 

Armitage was proud to remain firmly in contention for the title despite not making a birdie after the fifth hole on Saturday. 

“I was sort of at 50 per cent of what I can do, and I’ve still got a shout going into tomorrow,” he said. “It’s a shame I couldn’t pull off a few birdies on the back nine, but I just wasn’t driving it well enough.” 

“You’ve just got to keep grinding, even though you feel like you’re not playing well, just keep telling yourself you’re still in it.” 

“I’m a quality player, I’ve got to keep reminding myself of that. That’s the reason I’m stood here now and in contention and I’ve got to go out there with that attitude.” 

Joining Armitage at 10-under and in a share for third place are Italy’s Guido Migliozzi and USA’s Michael Kim. 

On a tightly packed leaderboard, France’s Jeong weon Ko is alongside Australian Elvis Smylie on nine-under with Freddy Schott and Darius van Driel a further shot back. 

Mikael Lindberg, Todd Clements and Antoine Rozner at seven under rounded out a dozen players covered by four shots at the head of the field. 

The fourth and final round is set to tee off at 7:45am local time, with the leaders taking to the tee box at 12:20 local time. 

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