Donaldson roars into contention in Paris
Nicolas Colsaerts opened up a three-shot lead yeaterday heading into today’s final round of the Amundi Open de France, as fellow Ryder Cup hero Jamie Donaldson roared into contention in Paris.
Belgian Colsaerts was a member of the European team that came back from 10-4 down to complete the Miracle at Medinah in 2012, while two years later Welshman Donaldson hit a towering iron into the 15th at Gleneagles to secure the point that ensured the trophy stayed on this side of the Atlantic.
Neither player has claimed a win since their starring roles at the biennial spectacular, and both now find themselves needing strong finishes to the Race to Dubai season to keep their playing privileges for 2020.
Colsaerts’ 67 on day three at Le Golf National moved him to 13-under-par and put him in pole position for a first victory in seven years, with South African George Coetzee his closest competition after a 70.
Donaldson – who was celebrating his 44th birthday in the French capital – was then at nine-under alongside American Kurt Kitayama.
Colsaerts carded five birdies and a bogey as he turned a share of the overnight into a three-shot advantage, and he is keeping his focus purely on his game at Le Golf National.
“It would be amazing to win this thing, but if I stay away from thinking that I think my chances will a lot higher than if I see this thing in front of me,” the Belgian said.
“I’m on a mission, I have a lot to play for and it’s not like actually winning this tournament is at the forefront of my mind, you still have to play shots.”
A string of injury troubles – including an accident with a chainsaw in 2016 – have hampered Donaldson in the last five years, but he is confident he still has the mentality that has brought him three European Tour victories.
“You don’t really try to remember your birthday when you get to 40-plus, but it was a memorable day,” said the Welshman, after carding a 66 containing six birdies and a single dropped shot.
Ireland’s Gavin Moynihan and Scot Richie Ramsay are at eight-under alongside Dane Joachim B Hansen, who carded a 69 that included a quintuple-bogey nine on 13 after going in the water twice.
▪ Justin Thomas finished with a costly bogey on the 18th hole as Danny Lee grabbed a share of the lead heading into today’s final round of the CJ Cup in South Korea.
Thomas signed for a twounder 70 while Lee – who had earlier made a double-bogey six at the 10th – recorded a 68.
Australian Cameron Smith sits in third place after he also went four-under for the third round.
Americans Wyndham Clark and Jordan Spieth are tied in fourth at 11-under, with Ben An a shot back.