Irish Golf Desk

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Hundebøll extends lead as McKibbin treads water in South Africa

Oliver Hundebøll. Image: Heinrich Helmbold /Sunshine Tour

Oliver Hundebøll will take a four-shot lead into the final round of the Limpopo Championship as he goes in search of his second European Challenge Tour title at Euphoria Golf Club.

The 22-year-old followed his sensational nine under par round of 63 on the second day with a four-under-par round of 68 on Saturday, moving to an 18-under par total and four shots clear of South African Hennie du Plessis.

Holywood’s Tom McKibbin made three birdies and three bogeys in a level par 72 to remain on six-under and slip two places to tied 32nd.

Scores

Hundebøll, who secured a maiden Challenge Tour title at the Mangaung Open last month, entered round three with a one-shot lead but after a bogey at the fourth hole, he dropped down the leaderboard. The Dane bounced back brilliantly with five birdies to move four shots clear at the top, and he was delighted to regain control in Limpopo.

“I had a slow start today but then made a great birdie on nine,” he said. “I tried to play some good golf on the back nine and the putts started rolling in. I got the ball in play on almost every hole today and then my wedges came good on the back nine.

“I’m really pleased to follow up my good round yesterday and I enjoyed my golf today. I like playing in the final groups and after getting that first win under my belt it has become much easier. I just play my golf and don’t really get nervous anymore.”

Poland’s Mateusz Gradecki, who carded a five-under-par round of 67, shares third place with South Africans Pieter Moolman and Luke Jerling on 13 under par.

Frenchman Robin Sciot-Siegrist, Germany’s Nick Bachem and South African Bryce Easton sit in sixth place on 12 under par, while Dutchman Lars van Meijel and South African Rourke van der Spuy share ninth on 11 under.

The final round of the Limpopo Championship will begin at 8:20 am local time on Sunday, with Hundebøll teeing it up in the final group alongside du Plessis and Moolman at 10:10 am.