Home favourite Matt Fitzpatrick will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Betfred British Masters after signing for a Saturday 68 which featured a chip-in eagle, while Rasmus Højgaard’s quest for an automatic Ryder Cup spot remains on course.
As the only player who can still play his way into the automatic spots for the European Ryder Cup Team by overtaking Shane Lowry, Højgaard’s round of 69 took him to seven under par and a tie for 14th. He requires a minimum finish of tied 29th with one other player to book his place at Bethpage Black.
The Englishman, who is hoping to catch the eye of European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald before he makes his picks for next month’s biennial showpiece in just over one week, did his chances no harm as he carded an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys to reach 12 under par.
That saw the Major Champion claim the outright lead after 54 holes but Fitzpatrick will have another former winner of this event on his tail on Sunday, with Swede Alex Noren his nearest challenger on 11 under.
“Just happy with where my game is at at the minute,” Fitzpatrick said. “Just trying to be really patient, not force it, and just keep hitting solid shots.
“I would say my confidence is high but it’s obviously important to still keep my expectations as low as possible, as well. That’s something Phil Kenyon taught me when I first started seeing him is, ideally, you want high confidence and low expectations. That’s kind of the best balance. That’s just what I’m trying to go with this week, like I keep saying, and people are probably fed up with it.
“I think just the experience of being in the position over and over. I feel like I know I’ve done it plenty of times now to be in final groups, to be in contention, and I think having that experience, knowing how it goes, I always feel like it’s nice being in the last group. You get to have the final say. You kind of know what’s going on ahead of you, and you can manage your game like that.
“It would be amazing. To do it ten years apart would be pretty cool, too, I think. Looking forward to the opportunity.
“As I was out there today, it’s just really enjoyable to be in these situations. Scottie Scheffler must be absolutely buzzing every week. It’s really nice to be in contention, playing solid and give yourself a chance of winning a golf tournament.”
Last week’s winner Marco Penge continued his fine form as he carded nine birdies and no bogeys in a flawless third-round 63 on home soil to equal the course record at The Belfry Hotel & Resort.
The Englishman sits alongside Dane Nicolai Højgaard in a tie for third, two shots off the lead, while Scottish amateur Cameron Adam is another stroke back after his bogey-free 66, alongside England’s Matt Wallace and Swede Simon Forsström.
Spain’s Angel Hidalgo produced early fireworks on day three as he made a slam-dunk hole-in-one at the seventh hole, sending his tee-shot at the par three over the water and straight into the hole with an eight iron from 156 yards.
After another 10 tee shots landed on the tenth green and 16 eagles or better were recorded across the course – including Hidalgo’s ace – the total raised for Guide Dogs after three rounds at the Betfred British Masters stands at £90,500.
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