Senden flies high with late eagle
HOME HOPE John Senden takes a two- stroke lead into the final round of the Australian Open today.
A glittering four-hole stretch on the back nine yesterday saw Senden drop an eagle and two birdies at The Lakes, for a twounder par 70 in tough Sydney conditions.
The 2006 champion will tee off in the final group with England’s Justin Rose, who also shot 70, and starts the day on five-under.
But it wasn’t such a good day for the New Zealand contingent. Josh Geary is the leading Kiwi in a tie for ninth on two- under after a third-day 71, while a 74 saw Gareth Paddison slip back to a tie for 18th on one-under.
Michael Hendry also had a 74 and to slip back to one-over and the other New Zealander to make the cut, Mahal Pearce, is a further three shots adrift. Further up the leaderboard Australians Matthew Jones, Peter Senior and Kieran Pratt are in a tie for third on fourunder.
Rose was quick to comment on the windy conditions that faced the players in round three.
‘‘As you can see, it was a difficult time out there,’’ Rose said. ‘‘It’s hard to even tap in from a few feet.’’
Told
the
southerly
winds
were forecast to be as strong for the final round, Rose said: ‘Whoever literally stands up could win the golf tournament, it could be last man standing.
‘‘It’s going to be my last round of the year and I’d like to go out on a high note. I look forward to the battle.’’
Stuart Appleby, fellow Australian Cameron Percy and American Kyle Stanley are in a share of sixth on three-under. Appleby briefly took the lead before a back-nine stumble, but was pleased to be within several shots of the lead.
‘‘I feel like I’m coming back,’’ Appleby said. ‘‘My game is definitely on the uptake. Mentally, I’ve really struggled the past year or more, nearly two years, to believe in myself.’’ Pre- tournament favourite Adam Scott shot 71 yesterday to be in the Geary group of nine tied at 214, five strokes behind. Included in that group was second- round leader Marcus Fraser, of Australia, who shot 76 yesterday.
American Tom Watson, the 1984 Australian Open champion, shot 78 for the second time in three rounds, partly blaming jet-lag. ‘‘It was ugly out there for me, very ugly,’’ the 63-year-old, eight-times major winner said.
‘‘I struggled on the practice area warming up.’’