Andrew Dodt takes a one shot lead into the final round of the European PGA Championship hoping to end Australia’s 27-year wait for the title.
The 31-year Brisbane golfer posted a four-under par 68 in Saturday’s third round for an eight-under total in very windy conditions.
South African Branden Grace put aside the controversy that surrounded his actions in a bunker on day one to produce a real roller-coaster round of 70 to be second place at seven-under par.
England´s Lee Westwood (72) and Italian Francesco Molinari (74) share third on five under par.
Dodt bogeyed his fourth hole but then played the next 14 holes in five-under as he closed in on a third European Tour victory and becoming the first Australian to win the prestigious event since 1990 when Mike Harwood reigned supreme.
“I saw the scores this morning and I knew it was going to be tough,” he said.
“But I didn’t really have a game plan. I just wanted to hit each shot at a time and commit to that shot, which I think I did.
“I had a couple of good results just before Christmas, and that was a goal of mine to try to follow on and keep the foot on the accelerator.
“It has not happened yet but I feel good. My game feels good. I feel like I’m in a really good spot.
“I know tomorrow it is going to be tough out there. There will be a few nerves, a lot of nerves there. Just got to try to do what I’ve been doing the last three days and if I can do that, I can give myself a chance”.
Grace’s round included six birdies but also four bogeys as the 29-year old Pretoria golfer targets an eighth European Tour win.
“My ball-striking was pretty much the big key,” he said.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing in the wind. Today was tough, man. I didn’t get greedy at all and when I had the chances, I took them but I left a few out there, which was surprising, but I’m happy”.
And Grace found himself having to again address the issue surrounding him on Thursday, and this after Tour rules officials ruled in his favour despite the likes for former Masters winner, Danny Willett being critical on social media.
” To be quite honest, I don’t think I did anything wrong”, said Grace.
“I played within the rules. The rules official is there for a reason, and it was a valid question and he gave me the drop.
“I actually heard that (Padraig Harrington) was in the same scenario yesterday and he got relief, as well.
“So, you know, I think it is something that brought the attention to a lot of guys out there that maybe didn’t know about that rule but now they know.
“Like you say, some guys are going to love it and some guys are going to hate it. That’s always the game. Like I said, I can only ask the question if he gave me relief, and he did.”
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