Harrington just three behind in KLM Open
Pádraig Harrington. Picture: Getty Images
Pádraig Harrington is just three shots off the lead heading into the final round of the KLM Open after carding a six under par 65 at The Dutch.
The Dubliner (47) is rounding into form following his runner-up finish in the D+D Real Czech Masters two week ago and while he was disappointed to finish with a bogey six, he's clearly got the game to challenge for his first European Tour win since the Portugal Masters two years ago.
“I know my game is pretty strong and we’ll see what comes out tomorrow but I know that overall I am going in the right direction,” said Harrington, who birdied five of his first seven holes before following a bogey at the par-three eighth with three more birdies at the 11th, 15th and 16th.
“To finish like that is disappointing," added Harrington, who is tied for sixth on 10-under, just three shots behind Chris Woods.
"I hit a lovely shot in, straight down the pin, and as things were going well I tried to force the lob wedge in there. It’s funny when you shoot 65 and all you can think about is the bogey at the last.
“There were positives all the way through. The only green I missed today was on 18, so I gave myself plenty of chances for birdies and made a few early on which got me into it.
"Clearly the conditions were nice today and it was a little disappointing finishing at ten under because I could be five shots back at the end of the day."
As it turned out, he was off by two shots as Wood, who started the day five shots behind overnight leader Ashun Wu, shot a 65 to overtake Hideto Tanihara, who had taken the clubhouse lead following a course-record-equalling score of 63.
“I'm pleasantly surprised. I finished poorly last night and as I alluded to, I'm making a couple of quite big swing changes at the moment.
“I got into the round, hit a couple of loose shots to start with but I've got enough experience now, there's no need to let it get away from me.
“I'll just keep chipping away, I'm hitting the ball okay, keep doing my thing and the birdies will come.
“My target was 15 under for the tournament so I'm going to look a little bit differently at that now. I'll take another 65 tomorrow if you offer it me now.”
Tanihara shares second spot with Jigger Thomson (68) and overnight leader Ashun Wu (71).
Hoey and Moynihan shine in Kazakhstan
Michael Hoey is just six shots off the lead after a 68 but Gavin Moynihan shot an even more eventful 65 to lie just two strokes further back in the Kazakhstan Open.
The two-time former Irish Amateur Open champion birdied the third, then went albatross, bogey, birdie, eagle to turn in 30 before picking up another shot on the way home.
Both players have a chance to pick up big cheques in the €450,000 and move up the rankings with the top 15 earning European Tour cards.
Hoey is the best placed at 27th in the rankings but Moynihan is 78th and needs to make a move to qualify for the Grand Final in Oman in October.
American Sean Crocker shot ten under par 62 to set a new course record at Zhailjau Golf Resort and take a one-shot lead on 20-under into the final round.
The Florida resident will have a golden opportunity to take home the €72,000 winner’s cheque, which would immediately move him into the coveted top 15 on the Road to Ras Al Khaimah.
Jonny Caldwell is tied 26th on nine under after a 69 with Cormac Sharvin five-under after a 73.
