Tigers urged to keep on roaring
Richard Bland reckons slugging it out with Masters champion Sergio Garcia has given his fragi le confidence a big boost.
The Englishman is tied with Garcia for the lead at the BMW International after both shot 67s yesterday to move to 13 under.
Joakim Lagergren (69) is a shot behind in third, with Thomas Detry (70) and Andres Romero (68) another two strokes back on 10 under.
But Bland, who is searching for his first European Tour title at the 410th attempt, admits his shot at glory has come as a bit of a surprise.
The 44-year-old said: “The confidence has been a little fragile recently. I’ve not been playing that great.
“But rounds like that, and the two previous ones, just kind of help the confidence.
“If I can keep hitting some good shots then hopefully I’ve got a say come the final round.”
Bland, who began the day a shot behind leaders Joel Stalter and Lagergren, bounced back from a bogey at Glasgow Tigers boss Stewart Dickson last night claimed his success-seeking side are the best in the league.
But he told the riders: “You have to earn the right to be there.”
Tigers vi s i t Peterborough Panthers tonight with team manager Dickson’s side early favourites to finish top going into the end- of- season title play-offs.
He said: “We’re not at halfway yet and we need to keep going.
“Te ams ar e strengthening up and the second with three straight gains from the fourth to reach the turn in 34.
And after hitting his third shot out of shallow water at the 11th, the 44-year- old rolled in his 20-foot birdie putt.
Bland then made an eagle at the 13th before safely parring his final five holes.
He said: “I got my feet wet and holed a second shot into 13. So I pretty much kind of ran into everything.”
Self- belief isn’t a problem for Garcia after his breakthrough Major win at Augusta.
And he’s hoping to bag another title in Munich today.
Garcia said: “It was a good, solid day. It’s nice but it doesn’t mean it’s finished.
“We have a long day ahead. I have to see if I can pull it off.”