Double Scotch as Warren and Syme shine
Scotland’s Marc Warren and German Nicolai von Dellingshausen head a packed Austrian Open leaderboard after battling thumping rain yesterday on day three at Diamond Country Club.
A far-cry from Friday’s blistering heat, reaching highs of 35 degrees, persistent rain fell in Atzenbrugg during the day. Warren and von Dellingshausen lead by one stroke on 11-under-par, with six golfers within two strokes heading into today’s final round.
Von Dellingshausen set the clubhouse target after a two-under-par round of 70, which included three birdies in his first four holes.
The German dropped shots on the eighth and 14th holes, but recovered with his fourth birdie of the day on the 15th to reach 11-under-par.
Warren made the turn at one-under on the day, after three birdies and two bogeys on the front nine, and matched von Dellingshausen’s birdie on the 15th to join him in a share of the lead.
The Scot said: “Probably as wet coming off today as I was yesterday, but with water today instead of sweat. It was incredibly different conditions, teeing off it was the heaviest rain we’d had all day. It was a grind from the start, so it was good to get round in under par.
Warren will go in search of a fourth European Tour victory, and his first since 2014’s Made in Denmark, while von Dellingshausen is bidding for a maiden title.
Warren said: “I know what to expect. Some guys haven’t won before, they might not know what to expect. I’m pretty comfortable with the situation I’m in. Hopefully a good front nine tomorrow and I’ll be in with a chance to win.”
In a share of third place on 10-underpar are Warren’s fellow-scot Connor Syme, Spain’s Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez and Darius van Driel of Holland.
Syme celebrated his 25th birthday in some style, recording the only bogey-free round of the day – a three-under-par 69.
Making his 26th European Tour start this week, Syme’s best result to date came on this golf course in 2018, when he finished runner-up to Mikko Korhonen at the Shot Clock Masters.
Syme said: “It was a brilliant birthday for sure.”
The 2013 Austrian Open champion Joost Luiten of Holland, Germany’s Marcel Schneider and Joël Stalter of France share sixth place on nine-under-par.
Peebles’ Craig Howie is in a tie for ninth on seven-under.