Leader Smith keeps feet on ground in Portugal
ENGLAND’S Jordan Smith will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Portugal Masters as he goes in search of his first win since 2017.
The 29-year-old remains on course for a wire-to-wire victory at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course after carding a spectacular eagle, eight birdies and one bogey yesterday to get to 22 under par – his best 54-hole total on the DP World Tour.
Smith carded a 62 for the second time this week, having also achieved the feat on Thursday, and looked on course to go even lower before a closing bogey meant he had to settle for just a two-shot buffer.
His nearest challenger was fellow halfway co-leader Gavin Green, who managed to prevent the in-form Englishman from running away with things as he made an eagle, six birdies and a solitary bogey in his 64.
Green was then three clear of third-placed Sebastian Heisele, who is preparing to play his last round today ahead of his retirement from playing.
Smith was said: “I’m close to my best. If [the win] happens, then brilliant, it’s the cherry on the cake this year. If it doesn’t then there’s going to be another week when it might happen.
“I’m just going to go out there and play the attacking golf that I’ve done the last three days, hitting driver everywhere and taking advantage of the soft greens. If it happens, it happens.”
Smith made a hat-trick of birdies at the second, third and fourth before taking advantage of the par-three eighth to lead by two at the turn. After making further gains on the 11th, 12th and 14th, Smith chipped in from the rough at the 15th for an eagle to move to 22 under.
A birdie on the 17th briefly moved Smith to 23 under before he bogeyed the last after sending his tee-shot into a fairway bunker.
Green was also delighted with his third round.
“It’s been a little up and down road to get to where we are today. I’m extremely happy. I’m pleased and enjoying golf again, it’s been a fun day,” he said.
“It pushes you to play the best you can, no matter what that is. Today it felt like a birdie fest, just going back and forth, eagles, everything going on. It was a really fun group and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.
“It’s going to be tough to catch someone playing that well, you just have to go and play your best and see what happens.”
Heisele was pleased with his 65, but today’s outcome will not change his plans.
“Retirement incoming,” he said. “Tomorrow’s going to be my last round and I’m just here to enjoy myself really.
“[A win] isn’t going to change anything to me. I’m going to be moving on to coaching, I got my certificate two weeks ago. Happy days for me. I’ve loved my time here, but that’s going to be it.”
David Drysdale who is needing a miracle to retain his tour card, is battling hard. His aim at the beginning of the week was to earn a first top-10 which would give him a chance of bypassing stage two of the qualifying school and going straight to the six-round final. He is making a good attempt, sitting joint eighth on 14 under after a 65 yesterday.