RORY McILROY WINS HONG KONG OPEN WITH GREAT FINISH

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
Hong Kong: World number two Rory McIlroy finally laid his hands on the UBS Hong Kong Open trophy on Sunday, closing with a spectacular five-under-par 65 which included a dramatic closing birdie from the bunker for a two-stroke victory.
The 22-year-old Northern Irishman started the final round three shots back on a sun-kissed day at the Hong Kong Golf Club but tied for the lead at the turn with two birdies before edging ahead of a packed leaderboard with further birdies on 12, 15 and 18.
Frenchman Gregory Havret, playing alongside McIlroy, settled for second place with also a 65 while Sweden’s Peter Hason took third place after a 70. Asia’s top finisher was Thailand’s Pariya Junhasavasdikul, who shared fourth position with last year’s champion Ian Poulter of England and Scotsman Richie Ramsay, four behind the winner.
It was also a memorable day for Juvic Pagunsan when he made history by becaming the first Filipino to win the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit crown with a 10th place finish which gave him an unassailable lead on the rankings with one event, the Thailand Golf Championship, remaining.
After two runner-up finishes and a sixth place in Hong Kong in the past three years, reigning U.S. Open champion McIlroy, finally achieved his dream of winning the UBS Hong Kong Open after an extraordinary final round charge to end the week on 12-under-par 268 and win US$458,330.
When he spectacularly holed out from the greenside bunker at the demanding 18th hole, McIlroy broke into a frenzied celebration with his caddie JP Fitzgerald.
“It does mean a lot. I wanted to win this tournament so badly since that play-off in 2008, but finally, to get this trophy in my hands, is very special. It meant a lot to go out there today, knowing that I had to play well to keep myself in The Race to Dubai, probably to keep myself in second place in the World Rankings.
"There's a lot to play for and to produce the sort of golf that I did today was very pleasing,” said McIlroy, who kept his hopes alive in becoming Europe’s number one.
“You know, I've loved this city, I've loved the golf course, I've loved the tournament ever since I got here. I felt like it owed me something after the play-off (defeat). No matter how prestigious tournaments are, you always have your favourite and this is definitely one of my favourite tournaments and to be able to win it is fantastic. And I couldn't be happier.”
He strode up the 18th with a one-shot lead but found the greenside trap with his approach. But McIlroy hit an exquisite bunker shot out which found the bottom of the cup and the sent fans wild.
“I just hit a perfect bunker shot, and once it landed on the green, it never looked anywhere else and I think you could see how much that meant to me. I think that's the most excited I've maybe ever been on a golf course. It was just incredible to see the ball drop and realise that I had finally won this tournament,” said McIlroy.
A 12-hour sleep and a five kilometer run in the gym in the morning revitalised McIlroy after he had looked completely out of sorts in the second and third rounds. With a spring back in his step, the supremely talented Ulsterman from Holywood, near Belfast came out fighting with a purpose.
“I slept for nearly 12 hours last night, and actually went into the gym this morning. I went for a run just to get my body sort of going and try to get a bit of energy and get it moving and that seemed to work because that's the best I hit it all week today,” he said.
Havret, who also finished second behind McIlroy at the U.S. Open, said an opening bogey proved costly although he fought back with four birdies and one eagle.
“The only mistake is probably the first hole where I three-putted. Nothing of absolute beauty because I didn't win. I had a chance going into the last one behind him but I obviously made a bad drive, and that was for me very hard to make par, but Rory did and managed to make an efficient shot. He seems to like this hole quite a lot, and, yeah, his shot (birdie) was absolutely amazing,” said Havret.
Poulter fought like the champion he is before a bogey on 15th took the wind out of his sails. “Disappointing obviously. I come to defend and I've come up shy. I thought I had a chance. I got it to nine-under and I just flushed it on 15, pitched two yards short of the pin and it's gone through the back of the green, costly bogey at the wrong time,” lamented the Englishman.
Pariya enjoyed his best finish of the season as he broke out of a slump with five missed cuts in his last six tournaments. He started the final round one back but a bogey on the first and a double on the sixth saw him fighting to eventually finish in the top-five.
“I'm just glad it's over. Didn't have a very good start like yesterday again, but somehow I managed to turn it around again. Right now, I'm just glad it's over with. I’ve got weak feelings in my knees and everything. Good finish,” said the Thai.
FROM PAUL LAWRIE'S WEBSITE BLOG:
Today was as bad as it gets. I hit it awful, putted woeful and my attitude was the worst of the year. I haven't been too clever this week on the mental side but today was very poor but it happens. You've just got to deal with it and move on. I fly to Dubai tonight for our last event of the year.


HONG KONG OPEN LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 280 (4x70). Yardage 6,730
Prize money in Euros
268 Rory MCILROY (NIR) 64-69-70-65 (341,724).
270 Gregory HAVRET (FRA) 70-69-66-65 (227,813).
271 Peter HANSON (SWE) 68-68-65-70 (128,362).
272 Richie RAMSAY (SCO) 68-66-72-66, Ian POULTER (ENG) 71-68-67-66, Pariya JUNHASAVASDIKUL (THA) 70-65-67-70 (87,072 each).
273 Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 68-69-70-66, Y E YANG (KOR) 68-69-65-71, Alvaro QUIROS (ESP) 64-69-67-73.
274 Juvic PAGUNSAN (PHI) 68-70-68-68.
275 Miguel Angel JIMENEZ (ESP) 65-70-72-68, Jose Manuel LARA (ESP) 70-70-67-68, Robert-Jan DERKSEN (NED) 72-68-66-69, Marcus FRASER (AUS) 67-69-69-70.

OTHER SCOTS' TOTALS
278 David Drysdale 73 69 68 68 (T21) (21,631).
280 Stephen Gallacher 69 72 71 68 (T35) (14,763).
283 Paul Lawrie 69 70 69 75, Colin Montgomerie 73 69 74 67 (T46) (10,252 each).

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US PGA TOUR FINAL QUALIFYING SCHOOL ROUND 4 SCOREBOARD

VIEW ALL THE SCORES IN THE FOURTH ROUND OF THE US PGA TOUR FINAL QUALIFYING SCHOOL AT LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA

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ZACH'S LAST-HOLE EAGLE TAKES LEAD FROM TIGER

Tiger Woods started the third round of the Chevron World Challenge with a three-shot lead but bogeys at the long second, the sixth and the short eighth have nullified most of his day's birdies so far - at the first, fourth, 10th and long 11th.
Woods, at the time of writing, is nine under par for the tournament.
Zach Johnson has narrowed the gap to one shot. He's eight under par with four to play.
It's been a good day for the Brits!
Paul Casey, who started the tournament with a 79, has shot 68-67 since then and has posted the clubhouse target of 214.
Martin Laird also started poorly with a 77 but he has gone 74-66 since to be on 217 after three rounds.

LATER NEWS FROM THE BBC SPORTS WEBSITE:
Zach Johnson holed from 163 yards for an eagle at the 18th to take a one-shot lead over Tiger Woods into Sunday's final round of the Chevron World Challenge.
Former Masters champion Johnson carded a 68 for eight under overall while Woods had a mixed round, carding four birdies and five bogeys in a 73.
South Korea's K J Choi is third on five under after a level-par round of 72.
England's Paul Casey is two under after a 67 while Scotland's Martin Laird is one over after a magnificent 66.
Johnson was one shot behind tournament host Woods before he holed out with a seven iron at the last.
Woods had three bogeys on the par fives to lose his lead, but he is still in a good position to win for the first time in two years.


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FALKIRK TRYST PLAYER WINS EAST ALLIANCE TROPHY AT DUNBAR

By ALAN GREENSHIELDS
Edinburgh and East of Scotland Alliance secretary
Apologies for this late report from last Wednesday's Dunbar outing. I am having problems with my internet connection at the moment and this has been my first chance to relay the results.
Dunbar hosted the sixth Edinburgh and East of Scotland Alliance event of the season with 98 players enjoying a well manicured links on a rain-free day. Wind did challenge players throughout the day and Daniel Airens of Falkirk Tryst claimed his third piece of silverware this season in winning the Ramsay Trophy by four clear shots.
Daniel's net 66 (76 less 10) was made up of a five-over-par first nine of 42 but then followed by a spendid second nine of level par 34.
Second handicap prize at Dunbar went to Alex Webster (Niddry Castle) - 70 (77 less 7) and third to Sean McGarvey 71 (71 less 0).
Fourth on 72 was split three ways via Hinton Bootland (Duddingston) 79 less 7, Hugh Fraser (Niddry Castle) 74 less 2 and Steven Lees (Dalmahoy) 81 less 9.
Top scratch prize of the day was shared by professionals Scott Grieve (Turnhouse) - 70 (35,35) and Andrew Marshall (Houston DR) - 70 (38,32). Third scratch prize went to David Patrick (Elie) 72 (38,34). Fourth was split four ways between Scott Catlin (Greenburn), Iain Wilson (Dalmahoy), George Wither (Lothianburn) and Daniel Wood (The Hirsel), all on 74.
Order of Merit now sees Sean McGarvey leading both the Scratch and Handicap lists:
Scratch
1. Sean McGarvey (Glencorse) - 319.5
2. Stevie Lamb (Cardrona) - 315
3. Andrew Marshall (Houston DR) - 306.5

Handicap
1. Sean McGarvey (Glencorse) - 96
2. Daniel Airens (Falkirk Tryst) - 92
3. Steven Dand (Pumpherston) - 87

Next event is on Wednesday, December 7 at Eyemouth

LEADING SCRATCH SCORES AT DUNBAR
No Surname Forename Club Category Gross
1 Grieve Scott Turnhouse Professional 70
2 Marshall Andrew Houston G.R. Professional 70
3 McGarvey Sean Glencorse Amateur 71
4 Patrick David Elie Professional 72
5 Catlin Scott Greenburn Professional 74
6 Fraser Hugh Niddry Castle Amateur 74
7 Wilson Iain Dalmahoy Amateur 74
8 Wither George Lothianburn Amateur 74
9 Wood Daniel The Hirsel Trainee 74
10 Dick Allyn Kingsknowe Amateur 75
11 Gordon Craig Edinburgh Golf Cen Professional 75
12 Lamb Stevie Cardrona Professional 75
13 McAllan Michael Glenbervie Professional 75
14 Rothney Andrew Deer Park Amateur 75
15 Airens Daniel Falkirk Tryst Amateur 76
16 Erskine Andrew Ratho Park Professional 76
17 Fraser Colin Peebles Amateur 76
18 McMehen Stuart Linlithgow Amateur 76
19 Morris Jamie Peebles Amateur 76
20 Boyle Tony Glenbervie Amateur 77
21 McLean Alastair Duddingston Professional 77
22 Morris Chris Kingsknowe Professional 77
23 Webster Alex Niddry Castle Amateur 77
24 Fraser Ian A Duddingston Senior 78
25 McMillan Alexander Bathgate Amateur 78
26 Robson Mike Harrison (Braids) Amateur 78
27 Skinner Grant Glencorse Amateur 78
28 Thomson Mike Galashiels Amateur 78
29 Bain Neil Haddington Amateur 79
30 Bootland Hinton Duddingston Senior 79
31 Brown Stuart Glencorse Amateur 79
32 Buckley Ryan Craigielaw Professional 79
33 Denham John Galashiels Senior 79
34 Jeavons Ian Dunbar Amateur 79
35 Munro Donny Kingsknowe Amateur 79

LEADING HANDICAP AT DUNBAR

Place Surname First Name Home Club gross score h/cap net score
1 Airens Daniel Falkirk Tryst 76 10 66
2 Webster Alex Niddry Castle 77 7 70
3 McGarvey Sean Glencorse 71 scr 71
4 Bootland Hinton Duddingston Senior 79 7 72
5 Fraser Hugh Niddry Castle 74 2 72
6 Lees Steven Dalmahoy  81 9 72
7 Boyle Tony Glenbervie 77 4 73
8 Carrigan Michael Greenburn 83 10 73
9 Denham John Galashiels Senior 79 6 73
10 Jeavons Ian Dunbar 79 6 73
11 McMillan Alexander Bathgate 78 5 73
12 Rothney Andrew Deer Park 75 2 73
13 Wilson Iain Dalmahoy  74 1 73
14 Wither George Lothianburn 74 1 73
15 Brown Stuart Glencorse 79 5 74
16 Jervis Derek Prestonfield Senior 81 7 74
17 Laing William Prestonfield 81 7 74
18 Sewell Peter West Linton  80 6 74
19 Wyse Ian Falkirk Tryst 83 9 74
20 Bain Neil Haddington 79 4 75
21 Fraser Ian A Duddingston Senior 78 3 75
22 McMehen Stuart Linlithgow  76 1 75
23 Skinner Grant Glencorse  78 3 75
24 Cunningham Robert Dalmahoy 88 12 76
25 Dand Steven Pumpherston 82 6 76
26 Denholm Robert Duddingston 80 4 76
27 Fraser Colin Peebles  76 scr 76
28 McLennan Andrew Deer Park 84 8 76
29 Rankeillor James Baberton Senior 85 9 76
30 Robson Mike Harrison (Braids) 78 2 76
31 Scott Jim Swanston New Senior 82 6 76
32 White Justin Harrison (Braids)  80 4 76
33 Black George Torwoodlee 80 3 77
34 Dick Allyn Kingsknowe  75 +2 77
35 Doyle Steven Gifford  83 6 77
36 Jeffrey Peter Duddingston  87 10 77
37 McEwan Morris Gifford Senior 84 7 77
38 Miller William Falkirk Tryst  86 9 77
39 Morris Jamie Peebles 76 +1 77
40 Munro Donny Kingsknowe 79 2 77
41 Rae Colin Pumpherston Senior 85 8 77
42 Brown Gordon Baberton  90 12 78
43 Eadie Gordon Musselburgh 86 8 78
44 Grant Ronald Baberton Senior 83 5 78
45 Marshall Robert Greenburn  84 6 78
46 McKean David Cardrona Senior 84 6 78
47 Stavert Iain Duddingston Senior 81 3 78
48 Stewart Duncan Craigielaw 85 7 78
49 Thomson Mike Galashiels 78 scr 78
50 Wardlaw Stuart Harburn Senior 90 12 78
51 Wight Andrew Glencorse Senior 81 3 78
52 Bell Gordon Gullane Senior 83 4 79
53 Davidson Stuart Dundas Parks 86 7 79
54 Johnston Graeme D Glenbervie 84 5 79
55 Malcolm Tommy Bathgate  84 5 79
56 Masterton John Mortonhall  86 7 79
57 Murray Roy West Lothian 84 5 79
58 Watson David Peebles Senior 92 13 79
59 Wilson Thomas Glenbervie 81 2 79

WESTWOOD LEADS NEDBANK CHALLENGE AFTER COURSE RECORD

FROM THE BBC SPORTS WEBSITE
Lee Westwood shot a course record 62 to earn a seven-shot lead after the third round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Sun City resort in South Africa.
The world number three carded 10 birdies and no bogeys to move ahead of overnight leader Graeme McDowell, who shot a two-under-par 70.
The Northern Irishman shares second spot with Sweden's Robert Karlsson on nine under.
Jason Dufner and Martin Kaymer are a further shot behind.
Birdies came in bursts for Westwood - first between two and four, another run of three between nine and 11 and most spectacularly of all a streak of four between the 14th and 17th, completed when he stroked in a six-foot put to ease to 10 under.
Westwood found the edge of the green with his approach to the 18th as he chased a fifth birdie in a row, but left his putt just short.
"I obviously played pretty well," said Westwood. "I can't remember missing a fairway, and I played the par-fives really well - I had four really good eagle chances on them and didn't make any of the eagle putts.
"It's the way I've been playing tee-to-green. I've just been waiting for one or two 20-footers to go in, and I felt like I had a 62 in me."
McDowell trailed by five going to the 18th but made a mess of the final hole, making a double-bogey putt after twice going into the bunkers.
Home favourite Charl Schwartzel recorded the second best round of the day with a four-under 68 which left him in a share of sixth with Kim Kyung-tae.

THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
200 Lee Westwood (ENG) 68 70 62.
207 Robert Karlsson(SWE) 69 69 69, Graeme McDowell (NIR) 70 67 70 
208 Martin Kaymer (GER) 70 68 70, Jason Dufner (USA) 70 68 70 
210 Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 68 74 68, Kim Kyung-Tae (KOR) 70 70 70
211 Luke Donald (ENG) 70 71 70 
215 Simon Dyson (ENG) 70 70 75
218 Anders Hansen (DEN) 72 69 77 
219 Darren Clarke (NIR) 74 69 76
222 Francesco Molinari (ITA) 72 77 73 

AMATEUR WINS SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFYING SCHOOL

There were five amateurs in the top 10 - including the winner - Ruan de Smidt (South Africa) (70-72-67-68-67 for 16-under-par 344) at the Sunshine Tour (South African PGA) Qualifying School at Schoeman Park Golf Club.

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ONLY SIX SCOTS SITTING PRETTY AT Q SCHOOL

Only six of the 18 Scots competing at four Spanish venues in the European Tour Qualifying School Stage 2 72-hole events are in the qualifying "zone" after two rounds. It is expected that roughly the leading 20 players at each venue after four rounds will go forward to the "crunch" tournament, the Final Q School over six rounds at PGA Catalunya, Girona from December 10 to 15. Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan) and James White (Lundin), still an amateur, are doing well at the El Valle venue in the Murcia region. They are sharing seventh place on the five-under-par 137 mark. Macaulay has shot 66 and 71, White 65 and 72. Also at El Valle, Clydebank-born Canadian resident Alan McLean is joint 16th on 140 with a pair of 70s. At Las Colinas near Alicante, Lothians pair Elliot Saltman and Shaun McAllister are heading for pass marks in joint 14th place on three-under 139. Saltman has shot 67 and 72, McAllister 69 and 70. Not doing so well at this venue are Mark Kerr, joint 43rd on 143 (70-73), Chris Kelly, joint 59th on 146 (72-74) and Kris Nicol, joint 66th on 148 (74-74).. Jack Doherty (North Gailes) is the only Scot sitting pretty at Costa Ballena in the Jerez region. Doherty is sharing ninth place on 140 after rounds of 69 and 71. Outside the qualifying mark at the moment are Peterhead's Philip McLean, joint 27th on 143 (70-73), Scott Henry also on 143 (71-72), Jamie McLeary, joint 32nd on 144 (73-71), Andrew McArthur, joint 36th on 145 (73-72), Raymond Russell, also on 145 (71-74), Graham Fox, joitn 42nd on 146 (73-73) and Paul McKechnie, joint 59th on 148 (74-74). At La Manga South, Neil Fenwick from Dunbar and Gavin Dear (Murrayshall) have a lot of work to do to make the top 20 with only two rounds to go. There is no cut at Stage 2 events. Fenwick is sharing 35th place on 145 (73-72) and Dear is joint 58th on 149 (74-75).

Leading second-round totals:
COSTA BALLENA
135 Sam Hutsby (Eng) 69 66.
137 Jason Levermore (Eng) 72 65, Xavier Poncelet (Fra) 70 67.
Scots' scores:
140 Jack Doherty 69 71 (T9).
143 Philip McLean 70 73, Scott Henry 71 72 (T27).
144 Jamie McLeary 73 71 (T32).
145 Andrew McArthur 73 72, Raymond Russell 71 74 (T36).
146 Graham Fox 73 73 (T42).
148 Paul McKechnie 74 74 (T59).

EL VALLE

Par 142 (2x71).
132 Joakim Lagergren (Swe) 63 69.
139 David J Smith (Eng) 65 68.
134 Daniel Brooks (Eng) 68 66.
Scots' Scores:
137 Callum Macaulay 66 71, James White (am) 65 72. (T7).
140 Alan McLean 70 70 (T16).
LA MANGA SOUTH

Par 146 (2x73)
135 Graeme A Clark (Eng) 66 69, Andrea Perrino (Ita) 67 68.
136 Clodomiro Carranza (Arg) 71 65.
Scots' scores:
145 Neil Fenwick 73 72 (T35).
149 Gavin Dear 74 75 (T58)

LAS COLINAS
Par 142 (2x71)
132 Benn Barham (Eng) 66 66.
134 Tim Sluiter (Net) 69 65.
136 Byeong-Hun An (SKor) 70 66.
Scots' scores:
139 Elliot Saltman 67 72, Shaun McAllister 69 70 (T14).
143 Mark Kerr 70 73 (T43).
146 Chris Kelly 72 74 (T59).
148 Kris Nicol 74 74 (T66).

QUIROS LEADS AS McILROY DROPS DOWN TO FIFTH PLACE

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
Alvaro Quiros will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Hong Kong Open with Rory McIlroy three behind the Spaniard following a difficult day for the US Open champion.
Quiros began the day level with McIlroy at the top of the leaderboard and picked up three birdies in a 67 to finish 10 under, one ahead of Sweden's Peter Hanson.
Y E Yang and Pariya Junhasavasdikul are tied for third on eight under, while McIlroy ended the day in fifth on seven under par following a battling 70.
McIlroy started in solid fashion but, after missing a birdie chance on the third, found sand at the par-three fourth and his par putt from around 10 feet grazed the edge of the hole.
Worse was to follow as his drive at the fifth ended behind a tree and, after chipping onto the fairway, his third shot missed the green.
However, he managed to get up and down to limit the damage to a bogey and drop to five under. He also drained a mid-range putt for another at the 17th as he battled back to post a 70 and remain in the hunt.
Ryder Cup team-mate Peter Hanson moved into second place after a fine 65 which included one bogey and six birdies.
"It was nice," Hanson said. "To sum it up, it was very good putting.
"I had a bit of a slow start making a bogey on the second but from there it was very solid and there were a couple of good bunker shots that saved some pars through the through the middle part of the round."
Yang also returned a 65 and added: "I'm in a good position, better than being ahead in the first or second round.
"One more day to focus, 18 holes to play. I think my chances are fairly good. There was minimal wind today, so that helped a lot, and my irons and my putter were playing as I've always wanted them to today."
Yang shares third with Pariya on eight under after the Thai youngster overcame a terrible start that saw him bogey the first and double bogey the second with six subsequent birdies.
"I kept telling myself 'Okay, the round is not over, you made it through to the weekend after playing really bad the last couple of months,"' Pariya said.
"Just go out there and enjoy it, just one shot at a time and try to make something happen."
England's David Horsey is in the group at five under par following a 69, while defending champion Ian Poulter is six shots off the lead after a 67.

THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 210 (3x70)
200 Alvaro Quiros (Spain) 64 69 67.
201 Peter Hanson (Sweden) 68 68 65.
202 Y E Yang (S Korea) 68 69 65, Pariya Junhasavasdkul 70 66 67.
203 Rory McIlroy (N Ireland) 64 69 70.

SCOTS' SCORES
206 Richie Ramsay 68 66 72 (T11).
208 Paul Lawrie 69 70 69 (T23).
210 David Drysdale 73  69 68 (T33).
212 Stephen Gallacher 69 72 71 (T47).
216 Colin Montgomerie 73 69 74 (63rd).


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AUSSIE KENNEDY THREE SHOTS CLEAR IN NEW ZEALAND OPEN

DOUBLE BOGEY AT 14TH KNOCKS JAMES BYRNE BACK

A double bogey 7 at the 14th prevented James Byrne from recording his second sub-par round in the New Zealand Open. The only European player in the field, he finished the third round with a one-over 73 which might well have been 70 or under with a bit of luck.
The Banchory rookie pro had birdies at the short fourth, the long fifth, the long 120th and the 12th. But he had bogeys at the third, sixth, short 11th and that 7 at the long 14th.
He has scored 78-70-73 and is T34 on 221, 14 shots behind Australian leader Brad Kennedy


FROM THE NEW ZEALAND OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP WEBSITE
Brad Kennedy arrived at Clearwater as the highest ranked player and his quality came to the fore in the third round of the BMW New Zealand Open in Christchurch.
The Queensland professional, who is ranked 228 in the world, carded a four under 68 which included one of the shots of the tournament to establish a three-shot lead over local hope Josh Geary.
Kennedy was already in control when he arrived at the par four 15th but added the exclamation mark to his round when he holed his approach shot from 94m for eagle to extend his lead to five shots.
The Aussie had bolted to 11 under par for the tournament and he became the outright favourite to win the 93rd championship of the New Zealand Open.
Geary bounced back with a birdie on the 16th and Kennedy missed short putts on the final two holes to reduce his lead to three to set up a tense final day.
The 37-year-old has had a fine season on the Japan Golf Tour in 2011 – where managed three top five finishes including a runner up – and hopes to finish the year on a high tomorrow.
“Any tournament win would be great, “ said Kennedy.
“To win a national open of anyone’s country would be pretty special. I have not had much of a chance to win the Australian open but to win a national open. There are a lot of great names on that trophy. It would be my second
tour victory in a couple of years. I will be out there trying to fight tomorrow.”
Kennedy admitted that it had been awhile since he was in the position of leader heading into the final round.
“Most of my best finishes in Japan this year have come from the back in the final round. If I think about whether I have a four shot lead or a five shot lead or whether I am one behind or two behind - if I don’t go and set what I have to do tomorrow I will just let everyone back in. I need to keep attacking.”
Geary is outright second on six under and the only kiwi player inside the top nine.
Western Australian Terry Pilkadaris in third place after a three under par 69 saw him climb within four shots of Kennedy.
Early on the leader enjoyed a golden run through the toughest holes on the course into the north-easterly winds when he moved from five under par at the fifth to nine under par at the 10th.
It was a decisive move as at the same time his playing partner Geary fought hard to stay in touch.
He hit his tee shot into the water on the ninth to drop a shot but otherwise scrambled well to save par when his shot making wasn’t at its best.
However it was on the middle of the back nine where the Nationwide Tour player believed Kennedy earned his lead.
“I think where it stretched out was in the middle of the back nine,” said the 27-year-old.
“I missed a short putt on the par-5 14th for birdie and the next hole I hit it close and missed it and he made eagle. Basically those were the two holes where it swung around in his favour. But I had some great gutsy saves in the wind and that’s why I am where I am.”
Geary, who headed to the driving range after his round to work on his posture and alignment with coach James Kupa, is mindful of the pressure being the only Kiwi in contention.
“For sure there’s pressure on tomorrow,” he said. “I can’t think about that. I have to go out and do my own thing and hopefully have a chance on the last few holes. I need to plod away and make a few good scores in the first few holes and give myself a chance in the last few holes. It’s all I can ask for. The last few holes provide potentially some good swings too.”
The 2002 champion Craig Parry, who many expected to make his charge on moving day, had a one over par 73 in round three to drop back to a share of fourth place with Adam Crawford (69) and Rohan Blizard (71).
Australian Andrew Evans had a magical run on the back nine where he made five birdies in succession for a 31 on the back nine to jump into a share of 10th place at one under par.
Hawkes Bay pro Doug Holloway (76) went the other way and 2003 champion Mahal Pearce (73) rallied with a fine birdie on the last to be tied 10th at one under.
Geary is the sole Kiwi contender amongst a pack of Aussies looking to end the eight year drought of a national champion. In his way stands the highest ranked player at the championship who at his best is playing some scintillating golf.

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James Byrne continuing his learning curve in New Zealand Open

E-mail from Jim Hardie in New Zealand

Just a wee update in that after driving for six hours to go fishing, stayed overnight after catching a couple of rainbow.
I then decided to drive the six hours back to Christchurch as I wanted to see James Byrne, and sort of lend some support in the New Zealand Open/
Glad to say that after a poor 78 he then shot a twp under 70 and today a 73 which honestly should have been 68 at absolute worst. James played awesome; just a few errant short shots -- good learning curve for him as it was quite warm and windy.
Tonight I have the other reason for such a long drive, i.e. dinner with Sir Bob (Charles) and five times Open champ Peter Thomson. Am I looking forward to this or what?
I will, of course, try to find out what went on between Geoff Ogilvie and Robert Allenby at the Presidents Cup.

Regards from New Zealand

JIM HARDIE
Jim