Moriarty two behind Cort in PGA Play-offs; Higgins and Brady in top 10
Matt Cort. Picture: Tony Marshall at Getty Images
David Higgins fell five shots off the pace but Colm Moriarty is just two behind England’s Mattnew Cort with a round to play in the PGA Play-Offs at Antalya Golf Club.
As Higgins had to storm home in 32 jsut to card a lvel par 71. But at one under, he’s five behind Cort, who was the stand-out performer on a sun-drenched third day at the PGA Sultan Course.
Cort’s six-under 65 was by the best of the day by three shots from a trio of 67s that included one from Moriarty, who lies in a three-way tie for third on four under, two behind.
With only two shots separating the leading five players, it’s anyone’s title.
Cort is one clear of PGA Cup player Gareth Wright (West Linton), with Moriarty, two-time champion Greig Hutcheon and James Ruth tied for third in the race for the £2,000 top prize and spots for the top 10, pending confirmation from the European Tour, in the BMW PGA at Wentworth.
“I felt I played well today,” Cort explained. “I had four birdies on the bounce which really got me going and then I had a few good chances on the way in and narrowly missed an eagle chance.
“It was nice to get a bit of sun after the first couple of days. This is what it’s been like the last couple of years for us.
“But I’m glad to be in contention going into the final day. There’s some very good players out there though, and no doubt there will be plenty of chances for those guys out there over the course of tomorrow.”
Second-placed Wright, meanwhile, was contemplating his own route to the title.
“I think looking out there anyone from three or four back is going to fancy their chances tomorrow,” he said.
“You saw what happened today with Matthew, he went out there, shot a good score and now he’s in the lead.
“The greens are really tricky and I think tomorrow the winner is going to have to hole their putts. That’s going to be key.”
The scene is also set for battles further down the field as a bunched up leaderboard means that several players are very much in contention for a place in the top 10, including Irish No 1 Eamonn Brady, who had five birdies in a two under 70 to get to two over.
PGA Play-Offs, PGA Sultan Course, Antalya Golf Club (Par 71)
After 54 holes — Detailed scores
207 Matt Cort (Beedles Lake) 68 74 65
208 Gareth Wright (West Linton) 68 72 68
209 Colm Moriarty (Drive Golf Performance) 67 74 68, James Ruth (China Fleet) 74 66 69, Greig Hutcheon (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 68 71 70
211 Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf) 74 68 69
212 David Higgins (Waterville Golf Links) 68 73 71
213 Cameron Clark (Moor Hall Golf Club) 71 73 69
214 Paul Hendriksen (Ivybridge Golf Club) 72 72 70
215 Eamonn Brady (Clontarf Golf Club) 72 73 70, James Ablett (Lee-on-The-Solent Golf Club) 72 73 70.
