Costa del fall for Syme as Kaymer stars
Connor Syme saw his bid for a maiden European Tour win lost among the cork trees on day three in the Costa del Sol.
The Scot teed up yesterday two shots off the top in the Andalucia Masters at Valderrama.
But a horror five-over 76 – which included two front-nine double bogeys – saw him slip to four over, six shots off the pace set by American John Catlin (72).
Syme, who enjoyed a 54-hole lead in his last two events, slipped down to tied eighth.
Former world No.1 Martin Kaymer posted a 69 that saw him return to level par, sitting alone in second place as one of just two players not over par after 54 holes.
The two-time Major winner is looking for his first win since claiming the 2014 US Open.
Kaymer held the outright UK Championship lead with five holes left at The Belfry last week only to drop his sole shot of the day on the par-five 17th.
The German, who has Scot Craig Connelly on the bag, said: “I was very surprised with myself on the 17th last week, especially the tee shot. The third, fourth and fifth shot, they can happen. But 17 was the easiest tee shot on the
course so that was very surprising. I got a copy of the coverage and I watched it on Tuesday and Wednesday, the last two or three holes, tried to learn something and it was just a very quick swing. Even though it’s not a Major, it was still a big tournament and it still matters.
“It doesn’t matter where you are – winning always matters. I just swung the club very fast and I couldn’t control it.
“That is what I learned from last week’s tournament. Going into Sunday it’s a completely different approach. The course doesn’t require six or seven birdies.
“It’s more about trying to avoid the bogeys, create birdie chances and if you have them, good. If not, walk away with a par, which is always a decent score. Winning in Valderrama was always one of my goals, one of my dreams. To win here would be something very special.”
Scot Craig Howie hit a 71 to sit tied 32nd on eight over as Ewen Ferguson signed for a 73 to be a shot further back. Robert MacIntyre posted off for a 75 as he dropped to a share of 56th on 11 over. Grant Forrest carded a 76 to fall to 13 under.