Wallace closing in on second Tour title
England’s Matt Wallace will take a two-shot lead into today’s final round of the Italian Open after moving clear of the pack in Monza.
Wallace went into yesterday’s third round tied on 13-under-par with Marcus Fraser at the top of the leaderboard and finished the day four shots better off.
The 27-year-old, who won his first European Tour title in Portugal earlier this year, carded five birdies and only one bogey, pulling off an impressive par save at the 18th.
“I’d say we’re probably only halfway there because Sunday is a different day,” Wallace said.
“I know where my ball is going, apart from the last shot on 18 there. Mentally, I’m really happy, and that par on the last will help.
“I’m going to go out, fight as hard as I can and hopefully be standing here with the trophy tomorrow.”
Wallace’s closest challengers are defending champion Francesco Molinari and last week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship winner Tyrell Hatton who are both two shots adrift.
Molinari was in fine form in front of his home fans, birdieing the third, sixth and ninth holes and then picking up further shots at the 14th and 17th.
The Italian said: “I played very well. I think the game has been improving throughout the week, which is important. I didn’t make too many putts, missed by inches, but I’m happy.
“I know it’s going to be tough tomorrow, but I’m in good position.
“I’m sure there’s many other guys playing well and feeling happy about their game, so I think it’s going to be kind of a shoot-out.
“Matt Wallace is a talented player and he’s won loads of times last year on the Alps Tour, so he knows how to win tournaments. It won’t be easy for anyone, but I’m happy to be in the mix.
“I’m glad I’ve put myself in this position. Hopefully tomorrow things will go my way like they did last year. But you know, I can only control so much, and I’ll try to do that.”
Hatton, celebrating his 26th birthday, fared even better than Molinari on the front nine with six birdies, including four in a row from the fourth.
His back nine was less spectacular but another birdie at the 14th saw him sign for a 65.
Hatton said: “I holed quite a few putts on the front nine and sadly I just couldn’t make the most of my opportunities on the back nine. It was a game of two halves on the greens but I’m in a good position going into tomorrow.”
South African George Coetzee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand are a shot further back while the round of the day came from Tommy Fleetwood, whose 63 took him to 13-under.
It was a less successful day for Australian Fraser, who is five shots off the lead in a share of ninth place after a 72.
Scotland’s Marc Warren, who has been on a run of good form of late, is in a tie for 13th alongside England’s Eddie Pepperell and Wales’ Jamie Donaldson on 11-under-par, a shot behind English pair Ross Fisher and Matt Fitzpatrick.