Sturehed powers into seven-shot Mena lead
ajman — Golf ’s Mr. Nice Guy Andrew Marshall described Henric Sturehed as a ‘superb talent’ after the Swede tightened his grip on the Mena Tour Championship by seizing a massive seven-shot lead going into the final around at Al Zorah Golf Club on Wednesday.
A good five shots in front at the start, Sturehed rode a scorching start en route to a 67 to reach 18-under for the tournament as Marshall, his playing partner, carded a tidy 69, to sit alone in second place at 11-under.
Order of Merit leader Jamie Elson of England reeled off three straight birdies coming home in his third-round 70 that left him alone in third on nine-under with Adam Sagar joining Sweden’s Fredrik From for a share of third on seven-under.
On a day when Mena Tour patron Darren Clarke and Michael Campbell, the 2005 US Open champion, visited the venue, Welshman Toby Hunt kept it clean on the back nine with five birdies in his third-round 66 as he joined Canada’s Lindsay
My game plan is to just play my game and try and make as many birdies possible, and the rest will take care of itself
Henric Sturehed
Renolds and Jake Shepherd of England in a three-way tie for sixth on six-under.
It was Sturehed, who again took centre-stage with a birdiefilled third round to extend his advantage.
“Played a solid tee-to-green. I feel like my swing is comfortable and consistent. Hit it close (to the pin) and created many scoring opportunities,” said the 27-yearold Swede, who notched up seven birdies, including six on the front nine, against two bogeys.
“My game plan is to just play my game and try and make as many birdies possible, and the rest will take care of itself,” said Sturehed, who will approach the final round with one hand on the trophy.