Arnaus goes three clear in Ras Al Khaimah

Tournament: Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final
Venue: Al Hamra Golf Club, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
Hashtag: #RAKGrandFinal

This image of Adri Arnaus must be credited to Getty Images 

Adri Arnaus navigated windy conditions on his way to a five under par 67 and will take a three-stroke lead into the final round of the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final.

The Spaniard co-led through the first two rounds but made six birdies and only one bogey to equal the low round of the day and put some daylight between himself and the rest of the field.

During a consistent campaign the 24 year old has notched 14 top-20 finishes and missed only three cuts in his maiden season on the European Challenge Tour.

For Arnaus, The Road to Ras Al Khaimah Number Nine will look to cap it off in style, by sealing a European Tour card with his first win on Europe’s top developmental tour.

With only one round remaining in the 28^th and final event of the season, the battle to finish inside the top 15, and secure a life-changing promotion to the European Tour, has reached a fever pitch.

Romain Langasque, who graduated from the Challenge Tour in 2016, currently sits in a four-way tie for second place on 11 under par and if he is able to maintain or better that position at the end of the Grand Final, he would bump out England’s Tom Murray and earn the final spot in the top 15.

Dutchman Daan Huizing, also in a tie for second, came into the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final positioned 38^th in the Rankings, needing a win to graduate.

If the 28 year old is able to eclipse Arnaus tomorrow, he would secure his third Challenge Tour title and earn a shot at redemption on the European Tour after he failed to keep his card in 2014 — his only full season on Europe's top tier.

Sean Crocker came into the week as Road to Ras Al Khaimah Number 13, but after 12 holes today, when he was two over par, things seemed to be spiralling out of control for the American.

Four birdies on the final six holes proved to be the perfect remedy for the 22 year old, who is now projected to finish ninth in the Rankings should he hold his current position – tied second.

France’s Victor Perez rounds out the quartet sharing second place, and a second consecutive Challenge Tour win would see the Foshan Open champion top the season-long points race.

David Law, currently projected finish of 14^th place in the Rankings, faces added pressure after cracking his driver during a practice session following his second round.  

The Scot put a replacement driver in his bag today, which he quickly benched after a horrific six over par through six-hole start. After changing to his three wood the Aberdonian went on to salvage his round with four consecutive birdies on the back nine to claw his way back into the mix with a 75.

Player quotes:

Adri Arnaus

“I am enjoying the week and everything has been working well.  It would be very special for me to win this tournament, overall it has been a great and fun year and to end it with a victory would be awesome.
“It’s important that I get a good result as I want to finish as high as I can in the Road to Ras Al Khaimah Rankings. That could be the difference in getting into more European Tour events next season. There are 18 more holes to play and at the end of the day we will see what happens.”
Romain Langasque
“I feel like my game has been pretty solid this week but I seem to mess up one or two holes. It was difficult out there today due to the wind and the course was tough work so it’s hard to have a perfect round.
"I’ve given myself a chance of securing a European Tour card which is really special for me and I will give everything until the end. I need to stay calm and focused heading into the final round and hopefully, I can achieve my objective.”
Sean Crocker
“I know I shot eight under yesterday but this golf course showed its teeth today in the wind. When I got over par I told myself I needed to take a chance and make some birdies on my way in.
“I have come close now three times in the last few weeks by either coming third or losing out by just one or two shots so I really want to finish the season off with a win. I wanted to keep within touching distance of Adri and now I have done that I hope I play well tomorrow.”

Daan Huizing
"I’m feeling really good and happy with the position that I’ve put myself in. I’m having a lot of fun out on the course with my caddie and girlfriend so it’s been a pleasure to play some great golf and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.

Getting into the top 15 of the Rankings is huge; it’s what we all work for. It’s all to play for tomorrow. I just need to play my golf and keep having fun and give it the best I have."

Scores after Round Three:
par 216 (3x72)

202 A Arnaus (Spn) 66 69 67
205 R Langasque (Fra) 67 69 69, V Perez (Fra) 67 69 69, D Huizing (Netherlands) 70 67 68, S Crocker (USA) 71 64 70,
206 J Hansen (Den) 72 67 67,
207 J Lima (Portugal) 70 66 71,
208 J Senior (Eng) 71 70 67,
209 N Lemke (Swe) 66 74 69, J Girrbach (Sui) 74 66 69, R MacIntyre (Sco) 71 66 72, L Johnston (Sco) 69 70 70,
210 M Kim (S Kor) 69 73 68, C Hill (Sco) 70 72 68,
211 D Van Driel (Netherlands) 71 67 73, S Soderberg (Swe) 69 74 68, K Koivu (Fin) 68 74 69,
212 M Hoey (NIre) 75 69 68, L Gagli (Ita) 71 67 74, A Karlsson (Swe) 72 72 68, G Forrest (Sco) 71 70 71, J Singh Brar (Eng) 72 70 70,
213 D Law (Sco) 69 69 75, M Iten (Sui) 70 72 71, T Murray (Eng) 67 72 74,
214 P Figueiredo (Por) 71 71 72, K Samooja (Fin) 71 72 71, O Lengden (Swe) 73 69 72,
215 O Wilson (Eng) 72 71 72, M Orrin (Eng) 72 76 67, A Rozner (Fra) 71 71 73, E Johansen (Nor) 73 71 71,
216 M Schneider (Ger) 70 73 73, B Virto (Spn) 69 75 72,
217 S Tiley (Eng) 73 72 72,
218 B Stow (Eng) 76 69 73, E Ferguson (Sco) 70 73 75, S Forsström (Swe) 70 72 76, K Johannessen (Norway) 72 75 71,
219 H Leon (Chi) 74 69 76, R McGowan (Eng) 74 73 72,
220 S Manley (Wales) 73 73 74, P Mejow (Ger) 69 73 78,
221 N Geyger (Chi) 76 69 76, 

                                                     

 

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