Warren ready to reign in rain without his caddie BROLLY GOOD SHOW
Marc Warren was relieved his hopes of a first win in six years weren’t washed away in an Austrian downpour yesterday.
The Glaswegian has hardly been wetter even in his homeland as he battled to share the lead at the Austrian Open in Vienna.
The 39-year-old added a third round two-under-par 70 to join little-known German Nicola Von Dellingshausen (70) at 11 under in miserable conditions on the Diamond Resort course.
And he even had to do his own caddying as long-time aide Ken Herring was sidelined while waiting for the results of his mandatory Covid-19 test.
Warren said: “It was a grind from the start so it was good to get round in under par.
“We were thinking if the rain carried on we wouldn’t be out there much longer but the course held up incredibly well. I didn’t see one bit of water on the greens.
“I was just playing for pars,
playing sensible golf, and waiting for the birdies instead of trying to get them.
“As the day went on, everything got wetter and wetter. It’s tough to keep the clubs dry. You’re trying to do that and concentrate on hitting the shot as well.”
Warren hit an opening-hole bogey but regrouped, picking up three quick-fire birdies before dropping a second at the ninth.
The Scot then sandwiched a 15th-hole birdie in between eight inward-half pars for his 70.
Now he’s looking for a first taste of success since the 2014 Made in Denmark tournament.
And while nine others inside the top-10, including fellow Scot Connor Syme, have yet to win on the main Tour, Warren reckons that could be to his advantage in today’s final round.
The three-time Tour winner said: “I know what it will take to win. Some guys haven’t won before but I’m comfortable with the situation I’m in. Hopefully a good front nine and I’ll be in with a chance to win.”
Syme celebrated his 25th birthday with a bogey-free 69 to share third place at 10 under par.
The former Crail Bat t le Trophy champ is looking to go one better after being runner-up two years ago in Austria.
Syme said: “It was a brilliant birthday. I wasn’t optimistic about even finishing the round – it was so wet – so I was happy with my score.
“I ’ ll chi ll out tonight. I knew I’d be away for my birthday so I’ll catch up with my family when I get back, which will be nice.”
Peebles’ Craig Howie struggled to a 74 in the conditions to share ninth place at nine under but is still in the victory mix.
Meanwhile, Graeme McDowell insists it would be a dream come true if he was selected to captain Europe at the centenary 2027 Ryder Cup.
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223 years since lelegendary Seve
BBal lesteros llast won a
RRyder Cup as European ccaptain on his oown country’s ssoi l – back at VValderrama in 1997.
And the Irish golfer wwould love to match tthe feat when the sshowpiece event ttakes place at Adare Manor,M Limerick. The four- time Ryder Cup player said: “To be a Ryder Cup captain in Ireland – that’s an Irish players’ dream. It would be a huge honour.”
As the day went on, it got wetter and wetter .. it’s tough to keep clubs dry and hit shots as well