The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Late run keeps hat-trick hopes alive for Rose
Justin Rose’s love affair with Turkey shows no signs of abating after a late hat-trick of birdies boosted his hopes of winning the Turkish Airlines Open for the third successive year.
Rose was two under par with three holes to play at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal, but picked up shots on the 16th, 17th and 18th to post a five-under-par 67 and lie just two shots behind joint leaders Tom Lewis and Matthias Schwab.
The Olympic champion is a combined 60 under par for his 13 rounds in the event and also won its precursor, an eight-man matchplay event featuring Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, in 2012.
The 39-year-old is looking to join Sir Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam and Colin Montgomerie as the only players to win a regular European Tour event three years in a row.
“Obviously it was a perfect day to play golf as it normally is here in Turkey and I could see the lads going low,” he said.
“Our group was having some frustrations trying to make putts. The greens were bumpy and when the sun got low you could see what you’re facing and it wasn’t really confidenceinspiring, so I changed my mindset to just not expecting the ball to go in and just freed up my stroke because of that.”
Scott Jamieson finished the day as the leading Scot after a five-under 67, with Aberdeen’s Richie Ramsay only one shot behind after finishing with four birdies in a row.
Oban’s Robert MacIntyre posted a oneunder 71, with David Drysdale on level par.
Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington struggled to a 75 after finding the water three times on the par-five fourth to run up a demoralising 10.
Meanwhile, Grantown’s Duncan Stewart made a solid start in the opening day of the second stage of European Tour Q School.
He shot a two-under 69 at Las Colinas, one of four Spanish venues hosting qualifiers this week. Ireland’s Conor O’Rourke leads on seven under.
Bradley Neil is tied for the lead after shooting a six-under 66 at Alenda Golf in Alicante, while Stonehaven’s Sam Locke opened with a one-over 73 at Bonmont Golf Club in Tarragona.