Hat’s off to Hatton with Old Course 62
BRANDT SNEDEKER will head into today’s final round of the Fiji International with a three-shot lead after nearest challengers Anthony Houston and Matthew Giles fired over-par third rounds at Natadola Bay Golf Club.
Ryder Cup star Snedeker, fresh from winning three points from three to help the United States defeat Europe at Hazeltine last week, posted a solid two-underpar 70 yesterday to move to 12-under.
Houston – who had started the day tied for second with Snedeker – had to settle for a 73 and halfway leader Giles, another Australian, managed only a 75 after a nightmare start which included three bogeys over his first eight holes.
New Zealanders Michael Hendry (68) and Gareth Paddison (69) were joint fourth on seven-under.
ITALY’S Diana Luna will take a narrow lead into the final round of the Lacoste Ladies Open de France after a 66 yesterday.
Luna carded four birdies and an eagle at Golf de Chantaco to finish 12 under par, a shot ahead of overnight leader Beth Allen, whose 68 featured four birdies and a double bogey on the 13th.
England’s Florentyna Parker, who led after an opening 63, is five shots off the pace after a third-round 71, with compatriot
Trish Johnson and France’s Alexandra Vilatte Farret a shot further back on six-under.
VICTOR RIU will take a oneshot lead into the final round of the Terre dei Consoli Open as he hunts a second European Challenge Tour title and bids to redeem a disappointing season.
The Frenchman started in blistering form at Terre dei Consoli Golf Club, birdieing his first three holes to pull away from the pack on 11-under-par, and, after briefly reaching 12-under, a bogey on 16 left him on that mark after signing for a 69, one ahead of Johan Edfors.
Riu won the 2013 Swiss Challenge and will look to draw on those memories tomorrow in the knowledge that he needs a strong finish to earn a spot in the final four events of the season, particularly the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final which will be contested by the top 45 in the Road to Oman.
“It’s a good thing because I know I can win,” said the 31year-old. “Three years ago I did it and now I know I have the maturity to win a tournament so I think it’s definitely possible again tomorrow.”
Sweden’s Edfors, three times a winner on both the European Tour and the Challenge Tour, had eight birdies in a round of 66 as he reached 10-under overall to climb the leaderboard.