Syme slips away but Kaymer is closing in

HAVING yet again entered the weekend within striking distance, Scotland’s Connor Syme was powerless as his chances of a maiden European Tour win fell away at the Andalucia Masters.

Syme trailed overnight leader John Catlin by two shots at the halfway point. But, while the American battled to a one-over 72 for his third round, Syme struggled to a five-over 76, falling six shots behind the leader heading into today’s final round.

Catlin is the only player under par after 54 holes in Valderrama, but just two strokes off him lies Martin Kaymer.

The two-time major winner shot a stunning two-under-par 69 to sit level par for the tournament.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson was another shot behind Kaymer (pictured) on one over following his third-round 73, alongside Lorenzo Gagli, who made a brilliant hole-in-one from 203 yards at the par-three 12th. Kaymer, who is looking for his first victory since winning the 2014 US Open, came into the day five shots behind Catlin after posting 72s on Thursday and Friday.

And the German hopes that he can put in a similar performance again today as he bids for victory on a course he counts as one of his top-three favourites. He said: ‘Winning in Valderrama was always one of my goals, one of my dreams. To win here would be very special.

‘Going into tomorrow, it’s a completely different approach. The golf 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 here.’