Englishman Wallace takes two-shot Italian Open lead into last lap at Monza

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS REPORT
Matt Wallace will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Italian Open, the fifth Rolex Series event of the year, as the Englishman targets his second European Tour victory this season at Golf Club Milano. 
The 27-year-old who plays out of Moor Park Golf Club, Hertfordshire – already a winner on Tour this year after his victory at the Open de Portugal at Morgado Golf Resort – opened with a birdie at the first for the third day in succession before going on to sign for a round of 67.He produced a tremendous par save at the 18th to move to 17 under par and extend his advantage to two shots over fellow countryman Tyrrell Hatton.
Hatton, celebrating his 26th birthday, carded six birdies and a single bogey in a blistering front nine before finishing the day at 15 under par alongside defending champion Francesco Molinari.
Driven by a huge home crowd, Molinari kept his bid for a hat-trick of Italian Open titles very much alive with a five under 66.
South African George Coetzee found himself in a share of fourth place with Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat on 14 under 199 after firing two eagles in his third-round 65.
Meanwhile, Race to Dubai leader Tommy Fleetwood produced his lowest round of the week with an eight under par 63 and is joined by Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera, German Max Kieffer and South Korean Byeong Hun An on 13 under 200.
Marc Warren is the leading Scot in T13 position with an 11-under-par tlly of 202, made up of scores of 66, 69 and 67.
Two behind Warren on 204 is Aberdonian Richie Ramsay, in T28 plae aftr scores of 67, 68 and 69. David Drysdale, the third Scot to make the cut, is on 205 with rounds of 67, 70 and 68.

Player quotes

Matt Wallace: “I think I said it yesterday, just my mental side. Being in position for the first time in this sort of tournament, I'm comfortable and really happy in my game.
“I know where my ball is going, apart from the last shot on 18 there. I think it was good to hit provisional and get that out of my system and hit another one down the middle. Mentally, really happy, and that par on the last will help.
“I'll be in that position tomorrow. I'd say we're probably only halfway there, halfway done, because Sunday is a different day. I'm going to go out, fight as hard as I can and hopefully be standing here with the trophy tomorrow.”
Tyrrell Hatton: “It felt like a battle on the back nine. Played really nicely all day to be honest. I holed quite a few putts from the front nine, and sadly, just couldn't sort of make the most of my opportunities on the back nine. So you know, a game of two halves on the greens, but in a good position going into tomorrow.
“Scoring is really low. I've just got to go out there tomorrow. Hopefully play well tee-to-green and just pick my lines on the greens and just hopefully they drop.”
Francesco Molinari: “I played very well. I think the game has been improving throughout the week, which is important. I didn't make too many putts, missed by inches, but I'm happy. I know it's going to be tough tomorrow but I'm in good position.
“I'm sure there's many other guys playing well and feeling happy about their game, so I think it's going to be kind of a shootout. Matt Wallace is a talented player and he's won loads of times last year on the Alps Tour, so he knows how to win tournaments. It won't be easy for anyone, but I'm happy to be in the mix.
“I'm glad I've put myself in this position. Hopefully tomorrow things will go my way like they did last year. But you know, I can only control so much, and I'll try to do that.”
George Coetzee: "I didn't get much going the first couple holes but finished strongly on the front nine with a couple birdies and an eagle which gave me the momentum to come and play freely and pick up a couple extra shots on the back nine. I was hitting decent shots. I just wasn't making any putts. I just tried to focus on being a little freer with the stroke and making better strokes, and I guess just built momentum up.
"Looking forward to trying to win a Rolex event, that would be awesome. It feels good to be in the mix in such a big interview."

THIRD-ROUND SCORES
par 213 (3x71)
 196 M Wallace (Eng) 64 65 67 
 198 T Hatton (Eng) 69 64 65, F Molinari (Ita) 64 68 66 
 199 G Coetzee (SAf) 65 69 65, K Aphibarnrat (Thailand) 64 67 68, 
 200 M Kieffer (Ger) 68 66 66, T Fleetwood (Eng) 71 66 63, A Byeong Hun (SKorea) 65 69 66, 
 201 R Fisher (Eng) 68 66 67, M Fitzpatrick (Eng) 68 69 64, A Cañizares (Spn) 66 70 65, M Fraser (Australia) 67 62 72 
 202 P Dunne (Ire) 67 69 66, A Noren (Swe) 66 70 66, M Warren (Sco) 66 69 67, J Donaldson (Wales) 64 67 71, E Pepperell (Eng) 64 69 69, F Aguilar (Chile) 68 69 65, A Björk (Swe) 64 69 69, M Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 68 67 67
 203 N Colsaerts (Belgium) 68 68 67, S Garcia (Spn) 66 67 70, A Levy (Fra) 68 69 66, F Fritsch (Ger) 67 67 69, D Horsey (Eng) 70 64 69, M Jiménez (Spn) 70 67 66, W Jeunghun (SKorea) 68 67 68, 
 204 R Ramsay (Sco) 67 68 69, J Luiten (Netherlands) 68 68 68, R Sterne (SAf) 70 66 68, D Fichardt (SAf) 67 67 70, J Rahm (Spn) 67 68 69, N Bertasio (Ita) 68 67 69, 
 205 G Havret (Fra) 66 69 70, B Rumford (Australia) 71 65 69, D Drysdale (Sco) 67 70 68, J Lagergren (Swe) 69 67 69, B Hebert (Fra) 70 68 67, A Connelly (Canada) 68 65 72, 
 206 C Paisley (Eng) 66 69 71, L Donald (Eng) 69 67 70, R Karlsson (Swe) 70 67 69, 
 207 A Pavan (Ita) 66 71 70, J Quesne (Fra) 68 70 69, G Bourdy (Fra) 68 69 70, B Wiesberger (Austria) 69 67 71, J Smith (Eng) 70 67 70, T Olesen (Denmark) 69 69 69, J Campillo (Spn) 67 69 71, L Scalise (am) (Ita) 69 69 69
 208 R Bland (Eng) 72 65 71, D Brooks (Eng) 67 68 73, A Otaegui (Spn) 70 67 71, N Elvira (Spn) 70 68 70
 209 C Hanson (Eng) 68 70 71, J Carlsson (Swe) 70 68 71, D Burmester (SAf) 70 68 71
 210 L Westwood (Eng) 69 69 72, W Ormsby (Australia) 69 69 72, E Di Nitto (Ita) 69 69 72, G McDowell (NIre) 69 69 72
 211 L Soomin (SKorea) 71 67 73, D Howell (Eng) 67 71 73 
 212 R Gouveia (Portugal) 67 71 74
 215 M Pavon (Fra) 66 72 77
 217 S Brazel (Australia) 67 71 79