Aussie Hend in pole position as fog wins the day in the Alps
SCOTT HEND opened up a twoshot lead yesterday, before play was suspended due to darkness on a weather- affected third day of the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.
The Australian came into the week looking for redemption after losing to Alex Noren in a play-off at Crans Montana last season, and held a four-shot lead shortly after a two- hour- and- 26- minute delay due to fog in the Swiss Alps.
Fabrizio Zanotti had reined him in by the turn but with the Paraguayan making two double-bogeys in three holes, Hend’s 11- under- par total was enough to give him a cushion with five holes of round three to complete today.
Zanotti was at nine-under stood on the 14th fairway when the hooter sounded, with England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick and South African Darren Fichardt at the same mark with three and five holes to complete respectively.
“It was all calm when we started, but after we went back, it was just so cold out there,” Hend said.
“The greens got a little bit rough so I was just trying to be patient. Everyone was dropping shots.
“Some nice holes to finish with when we come back tomorrow so we will see how we will be positioned for the final round.”
Fitzpatrick started with bogeys on the first and third but gains on the sixth, seventh and ninth put the Ryder Cup star right-back in the mix at an event where he has two previous top-10 finishes.
“It was a slow start and I’m disappointed not to be a couple better really,” he said.
“I didn’t hit a good drive on 14, missed a seven-footer for birdie on 10 and I left one three inches short on 13 too so obviously if you make those shots I’m leading by one.
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow now and hopefully I can pick up one shot coming in and then go again in the afternoon and fire a low one to do the business.”
Dane Lucas Bjerregaard, South African Dean Burmester and Australian Marcus
Fraser were the clubhouse leaders at eight-under.
Bjerregaard said: “To be honest, I played really well today. A few silly mistakes really. The couple of bogeys was a shame. It could have been avoided. But I am still happy with the way I played. I played really well. I hit a nice drive down the 18th hole and made a birdie there as well. All in all, it has been a good day.
“The 18th hole has been a good hole for me so far. I have birdied it on all three days. I was still telling my caddie earlier in the week that I don’t really like that hole.
“It’s a good hole, but it didn’t really suit me before. I have hit some quality shots there. I was unlucky to get in a divot there but I hit a great shot there.
“It felt pretty good overall, just a few silly mistakes out there. The ball wasn’t going anywhere with the change in conditions out there.
“In the last two days, the ball goes about 10% extra than we are normally used to because of the altitude but today, it wasn’t going anywhere at all.
“Luckily, there wasn’t much wind to factor in but it was difficult to figure out.”