Three-shot lead has Wallace still in the driving seat
MATT WALLACE will take a three shot lead into the final round of the Open de Portugal at Morgado Golf Resort as he looks to carry his winning form on to the European Tour.
The 27-year-old was promoted to the Challenge Tour after winning six times on the Alps Tour last term, including a run of five successive victories.
Wallace had retained his five-shot overnight advantage when the second round was completed yesterday morning, but admitted to struggling in the wind in Portimão as a third-round 73 left the door slightly ajar for the chasing pack.
“It wasn’t very good today, I lost a bit of rhythm out there and just struggled really to get it round,” said the Englishman, who lies on 17-under-par.
“I’d have liked to have been a couple better and that would have given me more of a cushion going into tomorrow.
“It is what it is and I’m going to prepare as well as I can for tomorrow.”
Two opening pars at the start of his third round saw Wallace take his bogey-free run to 38 holes, but having overcome a bogey on the third with a gain at the next, the Englishman dropped another shot at the sixth.
Wallace birdied the ninth for the third time this week to turn in a level-par 36, but both of his gains on the back nine were swiftly followed by bogeys.
German Sebastian Heisele closed within three with a third-round 71, with England’s Sam Walker third on 13-under after producing seven birdies in his 68.
Wallace hopes that his recent experiences in the winner’s circle will prepare him for today.
“I’ve been playing great, I’ve been giving it my best, I’m really looking forward to the situation tomorrow,” he added.
“It could have been much worse out there for me today. I battled really hard and made some good putts to save some pars.
“Hopefully I can put as much effort in tomorrow as I did today and play a bit better and hopefully I’ll be here tomorrow with the trophy.”