US Open champion Fitzpatrick leads going into last round of Italian Open
ROME: Matt Fitzpatrick heads into the final round of the Italian Open with a oneshot lead, but he has Rory McIlroy and Australian Lucas Herbert among his nearest challengers.
US Open champion Fitzpatrick coped brilliantly with the blustery conditions at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club yesterday and closed his thirdround 69 with a birdie to lead on his own.
World No 2 McIlroy and Englishman Aaron Rai sit one shot behind Fitzpatrick in a tie for second on nineunder after contrasting rounds, while Herbert is just two shots back in a threeway tie for fourth.
Halfway leader McIlroy mixed three birdies with three bogeys in his 71, which he finished with a fivefoot birdie putt on the 18th.
Rai, meanwhile, fired two eagles and two birdies in a flawless 65 to make a huge move up the leaderboard.
Fitzpatrick, who bounced back from a frontnine bogey with birdies at the 10th, 12th and 18th, admitted it would be special to get his hands on the trophy.
‘‘I love the country. I love playing golf here. The fans are fantastic and to win tomorrow would be a great feeling,’’ he said.
McIlroy, who like Fitzpatrick will be hoping to represent Europe when the Ryder Cup is hosted at this venue next year, knew he was to face a tough task today.
He said: ‘‘I think national opens are pretty important things in our game. I’ve been quite fortunate that I’ve won a few of them. This would be another great one to add to the list. So big incentive tomorrow to go out and play well.
‘‘I know it will be a tough day. Fitzpatrick is very solid. These are the sort of conditions that he relishes. He’s going to be tough to beat.’’
Herbert might even have been better placed but for a disappointing finish after he had gone through the first 11 holes in fiveunder, including an eagle at the parfive ninth.
Bogeys at the 14th and 16th meant he ended up going round in a threeunder 68, which leaves him alongside France’s Victor Perez and American Kurt Kitayama at eightunder. — AAP