Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell put himself in pole position for the biggest payday of his career — and a place in Europe’s Ryder Cup team — after he shot a third-round 66 at the Scottish Open.
That left McDowell in a share of the lead with England’s Simon Khan (68), at 10-under going into the final round at Loch Lomond.
A tournament famed for its final day twists is set up nicely for another day of drama, with India’s Jeev Milkha Singh two shots off the leader, along with Ross Fisher, winner of the European Open last weekend, experienced Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez and Australian left-hander Richard Green.
PHOTO: AFP
Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee is a shot further back after adding a second successive level par 71 to his opening round of 64.
McDowell is already on course to make Nick Faldo’s team to defend the Ryder Cup at Valhalla, Kentucky, in September and knows that the £500,000 (US$992,000) winners check on offer would guarantee a debut appearance in the transatlantic match.
Ever candid, McDowell recognized that would bring additional pressure, particularly with the likes of Ernie Els (70) lurking within striking distance of the leaders.
“It’s certainly in there in the back of my mind, maybe somewhere up near the front actually,” McDowell said after a round in which he struck his tee-shot on the par-four 14th to within seven feet of the pin for an eagle two.
Victory would represent McDowell’s second success of this season, following his victory in the Ballantine’s Championship in South Korea earlier in the year.
No less than 16 players are within four shots of the lead, including Adam Scott, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood on seven-under, three behind McDowell and Khan.
Scott, the world No. 3, began the tournament with a triple bogey seven on his opening hole and is playing with a broken bone in his right hand.
But he continued his recovery with a 68 and will like his chances.
Els is also still in with a shout of a third Scottish title, although the “Big Easy” admitted that watching South Africa’s historic win over the All Blacks in New Zealand shortly before teeing off could have cost him a few crucial shots.
The South African, an avid rugby fan, was caught up in the emotion of the occasion as the Springboks came from behind to win 30-28 in Dunedin and end a 10-year losing streak in New Zealand.
“I didn’t have a great rhythm to my swing at the start of the round,” Els said. “I was kind of watching the rugby a little bit too late and didn’t get my normal warm-up.”
World No. 2 Phil Mickelson is two shots further back from Els, after a 71 on Saturday.
But overnight leader Angel Cabrera looks to be out of contention after two triple-bogeys on the back nine saw him slump to a 78.
■JOHN DEERE CLASSIC
AFP, SILVIS, ILLINOIS
US veteran Kenny Perry birdied the 18th hole on Saturday to match compatriots Eric Axley and Brad Adamonis for the lead after the third round of the US$4.2 million PGA John Deere Classic.
Perry, seeking his third title in his past five starts, fired a four-under 67, matching Axley and one stroke more than Adamonis, to leave the trio level on 15-under 198, one ahead of Americans Jay Williamson and Will MacKenzie.
Williamson had the round of the day, coming home in 29 on his way to a 62 that included eight birdies and an eagle, with only one bogey.
Perry, 47, has won twice, lost in a playoff and shared sixth in his past six starts. He made three birdies on the front nine and another at 14 before his lone bogey at 15, then answered with a birdie at the 18th to share the lead.
Adamonis began with three birdies and added another at the fifth. He opened the back nine with his only bogey, but answered with an eagle at the par-five 17th.
Axley, 34, made an eagle on two and a birdie at three, before falling back with bogeys on the fourth, sixth and seventh holes. Axley responded with birdies at the 11th, 14th, 16th and 17th holes to earn a share of the lead.
Williamson opened with three birdies before a bogey at the fourth, his only one of the day, dropped him back. He began his back nine with an eagle and added birdies at 11, 12, 14, 15 and 18.
MacKenzie, who led by two when the day began, took a double-bogey at 10 and a bogey at the 17th to fall back.
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