Carey seeking final day fireworks at Alps Tour Grand Final
David Carey. Picture: Alps Tour
David Carey must go low on the final day of the Alps Tour Grand Final if he's to contend for one of five Challenge Tour cards awarded to the leading money winners.
The Dubliner (23) slipped back to tied eighth on five-under-par at Terre dei Consoli in Lazio and trails leaders Lukas Nemecz of Austria and the already promoted Frederic Lacroix by five strokes heading into the final round.
After the third round, Carey was projected to move up just one spot to 11th in the final Order of Merit, leaving him some 6,000 points behind Nemecz, who matched Lacroix's five-under 67 to lead by one stroke on 10-under.
Solo second would likely be enough for Carey, who made six bogeys (three of them on par-fives) and five birdies in his 73.
How they stand heading into the final round
Nemecz, who made five birdies in his 67, said: "The course is in great condition, fairways and greens. We both played well, but I didn't putt so well today. But this last event of the season is fun and a good fight."
Lacroix had two bogeys and seven birdies and believes the course is more suited to his game than Golf Nazionale, which was used for the first two rounds.
"This course plays much longer off the tee with wider fairways allowing for longer shots," the Frenchman said. "You have to hit much bigger shots to get into trouble, although when you do, it's real big trouble!"
Italy's Federico Maccario and France's Julien Forêt shot six-under 66s to share third with Edoardo Lipparelli and Angel Hidalgo on nine-under.
Naas' Jonathan Yates made three birdies and three bogeys in a 72 to share 19th on one-under and was projected to remain 17th in the Order of Merit.
Alps Tour Grand Final, Terre dei Consoli GC, Italy (Par 72)
After 54 holes
206 L Nemecz (AUT) 71 68 67, F Lacroix (FRA) 71 68 67;
207 J Foret (FRA) 71 70 66 207, F Maccario (ITA) 71 70 66, ER Lipparelli (ITA) 67 70 70, A Hidalgo Portillo (ESP) 69 68 70;
208 J Garcia Del Moral (ESP) 71 66 71;
211 L Cianchetti (ITA) 74 67 70, D Carey (IRL) 73 65 73;
212 B Wheeler (ENG) 71 71 70, M Contini (ARG) 68 73 71.
Other Irish: 215 J Yates (IRL) 70 73 72.
