Pedersen eyeing piece of history
Emily Pedersen heads into today’s final round of the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open De Espana with a slender one-shot lead over Nuria Iturrioz courtesy of a stunning eagle on her final hole.
Order of Merit winner Pedersen posted a bogey-free four-under 68 in the third round, the highlight of which came when she putted from 30ft on the par-five 18th after a fine approach from 171 yards.
The Dane moved on to nine under overall to put herself in pole position to become the first person to win three consecutive events on the Ladies European Tour since Marie-laure de Lorenzi did so 31 years ago.
“It never gets boring leading; this is why I practise so hard to be in this position so no complaints from me,” said Pedersen.
“I took a chance with the second shot on 18, I knew it was risky but I was confident I could pull it off, I hit it really solid and played well but couldn’t quite make the putts until the end.”
Home favourite Iturrioz boasted a three-shot lead at the halfway stage and briefly increased her advantage to five strokes with three successive birdies from the second, but she then faltered and settled for a level-par 72.
“I made a few bad decisions out there which led to three bogeys and that’s it,” she said.
“I hope I keep playing like this tomorrow, with less mistakes, and we will see what happens.”
Scotland’s Kelsey Macdonald slipped five shots off the lead after an errorstrewn round of 73 but still remains in fifth spot.