TIANJIN, China: Brett Rumford is one round away from becoming only the third Australian to win back-to-back tournaments in the 41-year history of the European Tour.
Rumford shot a 3-under 69 in windy conditions yesterday during the third round of the China Open on the Binhai Lake Golf Club course to move to 12 under, one stroke clear of Mikko Ilonen (73). The Finn led by three shots at the halfway mark.
The Australian ended a six-year drought by capturing the Ballantine’s Championship in South Korea last week.
“It was a really tough day and a very tiring day, and I really started to feel it on the back nine,” Rumford said. “Things were starting to catch-up and I would have come across looking perhaps like a wet fish as I was just not in the mood to be playing golf. But I hung in really, really nicely as there was some really tired golf swings out there today, and I could feel the lethargy in my body.
“So tonight I will be doing my best to recover for tomorrow. But I did well to hang in there, and mentally I stayed with it but not physically.”
Jack Newton and Graham Marsh are the only two Australians to have won consecutive events on tour. Newton captured the 1972 Dutch Open and then the Benson and Hedges Festival, while Marsh claimed the 1977 Colgate World Match-Play followed by the Lancombe Trophy.
Pablo Larrazabal of Spain is next at 10 under after shooting a 69, making four birdies in a row from No. 10 but dropping two strokes in his last five holes.
Former Ryder Cup player Paul Casey of England, the 2006 China Open champion, bogeyed four of his closing six holes to shoot 72 and sit seven shots off the pace. Dou Ze-cheng, the 16-year-old Chinese amateur, also hit a 72 for a share of 30th place on 2 under.
Els lurks behind surprise leader Kataoka
South African Ernie Els continued his recovery from jet-lag to lurk just one shot off the lead behind little-known Japanese player Daisuke Kataoka after the third round of the Indonesian Masters in Jakarta yesterday.
The reigning British Open champion offset a single bogey with five birdies for a four-under par 68 and a three-day total of 10-under to share the second spot with Austrian Bernd Wiesberger at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
“My body felt good and my concentration was pretty good as well. I just try to hang in there. I hit a lot of good shots, missed a lot of putts and in the end I grinded out a 68,” Els told reporters after sinking a birdie on the last hole.
“I was pretty consistent the whole day. I played well and it was one of those days where I tried to stay in the tournament.
“I was trying to get to 12-under but that didn’t quite happen. I’m one shot behind and I just wanted to stay in the mix which I managed to do.”
Kataoka recorded eight birdies and two bogeys in a six-under-par 66 and was hopeful of bagging his first title on the Asian Tour.
“I’m striking the ball very good. My putting was normal on the first two days but it was great today,” the 24-year-old said.
“I never changed anything, somehow I just felt more confident with my putting. I’ve mastered the speed of the greens and that made my round slightly easier.
“This is the first time I’m leading a tournament. When I looked at the scores, I saw many good players chasing me so I hope to have some luck to win. It won’t be easy.”
Thai veteran Thongchai Jaidee, who led overnight, slipped back into a tie for sixth following a disappointing round of 75 that included five bogeys.