Horsfield hopes he can at last be a hero on his own terms
SAM HORSFIELD will achieve something that has always eluded mentor Ian Poulter if he can complete a maiden European Tour success in the Hero Open at Forest of Arden today.
Poulter has won tournaments on no fewer than five different continents during his illustrious career, but he’s never managed to win in his native England.
That prize now lies within the grasp of 23-year-old Horsfield, although he will be kicking himself for turning today into an almighty bun fight rather than a glorious coronation.
Horsfield looked unbeatable when he established a six-shot lead halfway through his third round after reaching the turn in a superb 31 shots.
But it all started to go wrong after he missed a tiddler at the 10th. A lost ball, a visit to the water, a three-putt — it all added up to a miserable 40 strokes coming home.
‘I lost my timing and a couple of the swings were horrendous, but it’s important to remember I’m still in a very good position,’ Horsfield pointed out. ‘If someone had said to me last Thursday that I’d have a one-shot lead going into the final round on Sunday, I’d have taken that.’
Alongside Horsfield today will be Danish teenager, Rasmus Hojgaard, in a pairing offering a glimpse into the tour’s future.
With 13 players within three shots of the lead, a compelling last day is in prospect with any number of fairytales to be written.
None are likely to involve Scots. Grant Forrest is best placed on seven under after a 72. Richie Ramsay (74), Scott Jamieson (70) and Connor Syme (74) are well down the field.
AMERICAN Brendon Todd takes a one-shot lead into the final round of the WGCFedEx St Jude Invitational in Memphis, Tennessee.