FORSYTH TAKES ONE-SHOT LEAD INTO
FINAL ROUND AT DOWNFIELD
MARTIN DEMPSTER REPORTS
Bidding to claim his third big win of the season, former European Tour player Alastair Forsyth takes a one-shot lead into the final round of the Scottish PGA Championship at Downfield.
As the Tartan Tour's flagship event got back on schedule following a weather delay earlier in the week, the 43-year-old remained the man to catch at the Dundee venue, where he holds the course record.
Forsyth followed opening rounds of 70-68 with another 68 to sit on 12-under, with the chasing back being headed by Gullane's Marc Owenson after the left-hander stormed into contention with a 65, the best score of the week.
"It was a game of two halves," said Forsyth, who is attached to Mearns Castle Golf Academy. "I was hitting it great on the front nine but missed a few chances. "Then I didn't play particularly well on the back nine but got the job done thanks to the putter working."
A two-time winner on the European Tour, Forsyth is bidding to cap a great season after already landing both the Northern Open and the PGA Professional Championship.
"That would be great, but it's still all to play for, so I have a lot to do in the final round before I can start thinking about winning," he added.
Shrugging off some poor results this season, Owenson carded eight birdies in a bogey-free effort, storming home in 31 thanks to gains at the 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 16th and 17th holes.
"I played very solid," he said. "It was great to make six birdies coming home, but probably the highlight of the round was saving par from 30 feet after being in the trees off the tee.
"It's the first time I've put three rounds together this season, really, and hopefully I can conjure up a fourth one.
"It is great to be in the mix. It should be a fun day and I am looking forward to, especially after the season I've had.
"I was fortunate to get some sponsorship this year. This score was a reward for them - and I would take another 65 right now in the final round."
Paul O'Hara (North Lanarkshire Leisure) sits third on 11-under, one ahead of Thomas Higson (Gleneagles Hotel).
Also still in the hunt is former European Tour player Craig Lee, who sits on nine-under, as well as former winners Chris Kelly (Scotland for Golf) and Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf) on eight-under.
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As the Tartan Tour's flagship event got back on schedule following a weather delay earlier in the week, the 43-year-old remained the man to catch at the Dundee venue, where he holds the course record.
Forsyth followed opening rounds of 70-68 with another 68 to sit on 12-under, with the chasing back being headed by Gullane's Marc Owenson after the left-hander stormed into contention with a 65, the best score of the week.
"It was a game of two halves," said Forsyth, who is attached to Mearns Castle Golf Academy. "I was hitting it great on the front nine but missed a few chances. "Then I didn't play particularly well on the back nine but got the job done thanks to the putter working."
A two-time winner on the European Tour, Forsyth is bidding to cap a great season after already landing both the Northern Open and the PGA Professional Championship.
"That would be great, but it's still all to play for, so I have a lot to do in the final round before I can start thinking about winning," he added.
Shrugging off some poor results this season, Owenson carded eight birdies in a bogey-free effort, storming home in 31 thanks to gains at the 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 16th and 17th holes.
"I played very solid," he said. "It was great to make six birdies coming home, but probably the highlight of the round was saving par from 30 feet after being in the trees off the tee.
"It's the first time I've put three rounds together this season, really, and hopefully I can conjure up a fourth one.
"It is great to be in the mix. It should be a fun day and I am looking forward to, especially after the season I've had.
"I was fortunate to get some sponsorship this year. This score was a reward for them - and I would take another 65 right now in the final round."
Paul O'Hara (North Lanarkshire Leisure) sits third on 11-under, one ahead of Thomas Higson (Gleneagles Hotel).
Also still in the hunt is former European Tour player Craig Lee, who sits on nine-under, as well as former winners Chris Kelly (Scotland for Golf) and Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf) on eight-under.
Martin Dempster
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Thursday, September 05, 2019
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