Wallace on move in Monza
ENGLAND’S Matt Wallace will take a twoshot lead into the final round of the Italian Open after moving clear of the pack in Monza.
Wallace went into the third round tied on 13 under 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’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 and then picking up further shots at the 14th and 17th.
The Italian said: ‘I’m very pleased. I played very well. Obviously I know it’s going to be tough tomorrow but I’m in a good position.’
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 card a 65.
South African George Coetzee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand are a shot further back. Round of the day was by 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.
Paul Dunne fared the better of the two Irish weekenders, his 66 keeping him in the top 13, while Graeme McDowell’s 72 saw him slip back to tied 58th.
Elsewhere, Pat Perez extended his lead at the CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur to four shots after shooting an eightunder-par 64.
The American, looking for his third career victory on the PGA Tour, carded nine birdies to lead compatriot Xander Schauffele, who shot a 67, in second place.