ANDREW McARTHUR TWO BEHIND

LEADER WARING WITH ONE ROUND

TO GO IN CHALLENGE TOUR EVENT

From Michael Gibbons
Press Officer, Challenge Tour

Andrew McArthur (pictured right) remains in striking distance of his first Challenge Tour victory at the Postbank Challenge in Germany.
The 28 year old from Glasgow carded a third round of two under par 69 at the Golfclub Mülheim an der Ruhr on the outskirts of Düsseldorf to trail leader Paul Waring of England by just two strokes with 18 holes to play.
McArthur’s third round was a hypocritical mix of disappointment and delight that included a four-putt and two three-putts but also five birdies.
“If that is the bad round of the week out of the way then I have to be optimistic,” said the former Scottish amateur champion from the Windyhill club.
“I played great apart from those stupid putts that I gave away and I am only two behind because Paul three-putted the last.
“I was playing the 18th thinking that I was going to be three behind starting the final round, and that seemed a lot but when he bogeyed the last I started to think that two shots is nothing.”

Paul Waring, for his part, kept an old head on his young shoulders to extend his overnight lead.
TWO WEEKS A PRO

He may have only been a professional for two weeks, but the 22 year old Waring has played like a veteran for the first three rounds, producing a composed and clinical performance to record scores of 68-62-68 for a 15-under-par 198 total and a two-shot lead over McArthur.

Chile’s Felipe Aguilar – one of the 2007 Challenge Tour’s most consistent performers – moving into third place on 12 under after his own 69.
Waring was well aware that it would be tough to follow his low scoring second round of 62 on Saturday afternoon, but five birdies, 11 pars and two bogeys ensured he would stretch his lead going into the final round.
“I three putted the last which is always disappointing but I have extended my lead by a shot and if I could have had that situation going onto the last round then I would have certainly taken it,” said Waring, the 2005 English Amateur champion.
“I am feeling comfortable on the course and generally in this environment because I know a lot of the guys out here from amateur golf – guys like Andrew McArthur who I played with today.
“I will approach tomorrow the same as I do every other day and try to look after myself. That’s all you can do in golf. If someone makes a charge at me I can’t do anything about that. I just have to keep going and give myself opportunities.
“If it turns out that I have to grind it out then I will just have to chip and putt well to stay in it, but if I am playing well then I will try and low as low as I can.
“It has been a great start to my pro career, but I am trying not to think too far ahead at the moment because that’s when things can come back at you in this game.”

LOT OF PUTTS
McArthur’s third round was a hypocritical mix of disappointment and delight that included a four putt and two three putts but also five birdies.
“If that is the bad round of the week out of the way then I have to be optimistic,” said the former Scottish Amateur champion.
“I played great apart from those stupid putts that I gave away and I am only two behind because Paul three-putted the last.
“I was playing the 18th thinking that I was going to be three behind starting the final round, and that seemed a lot but when he bogeyed the last I started to think that two shots is nothing.”
Aberdeen’s Richie Ramsay is the next best Scot in the field in 15th position on seven-under 206 after a third round 68, while George Murray and Scott Henderson are respectively 36th and 50th on 210 and 212 against the 54-hole par of 213.

SCOREBOARD

Par 213 (3 x 71)

198 P Waring (Eng) 68 62 68.

200 A McArthur (Sco) 64 67 69.

201 F Aguilar (Chi) 66 66 69.

202 J Kamte (SAf) 69 65 68.

203 M Cort (Eng) 69 65 69, S Delagrange (Fra) 66 66 71, C Gane (Eng) 67 66 70, Z Scotland (Eng) 71 66 66.

Other scores:

206 R Ramsay (Sco) 68 69 69 (jt 15th).

210 G Murray (Sco) 71 68 71 (jt 36th).

212 S Henderson (Sco) 70 71 71 (jt 50th).