The Celtic Manor Wales Open 2008 - Third Round Report
THIRD ROUND REPORT
Scott Strange continues to lead The Celtic Manor Wales Open in pursuit of his maiden victory on The European Tour but the Australian is now being chased by a large pack of strong players.
Strange, who has led the tournament from day one, shot a third-round 69 to reach 15 under par and he heads into Sunday’s final round with a healthy three-shot advantage over Spain’s Alvaro Velasco.
Behind the top two, there are no fewer than 10 players within four or five strokes of the lead. They include former Celtic Manor champion Robert Karlsson and proven European Tour winners Jeev Milkha Singh and Raphael Jacquelin on 11 under par, and rising British star Nick Dougherty and Ryder Cup player Thomas Levet on 10 under.
The brightest weather of the week saw many thousands of spectators descend on the Twenty Ten course to see not only the top tour stars in action but also the new layout which is hosting its first Celtic Manor Wales Open ahead of staging The Ryder Cup in 2010.
Dougherty, who is pushing for a Ryder Cup debut this year, heads the British challenge five shots behind Strange.
He said: “I have to rely on Scott not pushing too far in front and just see what happens in the final round.
“I still need to shoot a great score but the way I’m playing it’s possible. It’s a course that looks very good to the eye so it makes it easy to go out there and enjoy playing it.”
Experienced Ryder Cup player Darren Clarke, who lies two shots further adrift on eight under par, agreed the course is ideally suited for the match play contest against the Americans.
“I think the course is great,” he said. “It’s going to be a fantastic Ryder Cup venue.
“The way they have done it, there’s so much room for movement of tees that they can make it much more a risk and reward golf course, which is what The Ryder Cup is all about.”
Alongside Clarke on eight under is the leading Welshman Jamie Donaldson who shot five birdies in his fine round of 67.