Saturday, December 7, 2013

Nedbank Golf Challenge: Jamie Donaldson stays three shots clear after third round

4:16 PM

Share it Please


Jamie Donaldson will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge after retaining his place atop the leaderboard on Saturday.

The Welshman carded a round of 67 on the third day of competition to move to 16 under par for the tournament, comfortably clear of Thomas Bjorn and Ryan Moore.

Donaldson could have been even further ahead but a rare blip saw him record a bogey at the 17th hole to go along with his six birdies on the day.

Moore also signed for a round of 67 in Sun City, while Bjorn shot a 66 to shave one stroke off his deficit to Donaldson.

European number one Henrik Stenson, Spain's Sergio Garcia and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee are a further two strokes back.

"This is one of the best fields in the world and a three-shot lead doesn't mean much," said Donaldson, who won in Abu Dhabi in January and went on to finish fifth in the Race to Dubai in 2013. "I'm looking forward to the final round.

"It was hard work out there, even when you are playing well. You can't sit back for a minute, because every hole is difficult. It's very important to stay in the present and keep hitting good shots.

"I'll play as aggressively as I can and take on all the shots that I would if it was the first day. I have to go out there and play aggressive golf where I can.

Very special

"It would be very special to win. It's a great golf course and a great country. I've won twice on the European Tour so far, but every win is special. This would just be a little more special."

Donaldson birdied the fourth and fifth and saved par on the ninth after finding the water with his approach, before picking up further shots on the 10th and 11th.

Further birdies followed on the 14th and 15th and he was unlucky not to make another on the 16th after his tee shot clattered into the flag and rebounded 20ft away.

Bjorn chipped in for an eagle on the 10th and carded five birdies, his only bogey coming on the 14th when he duffed his pitch having landed in a divot on the fairway.

"I played well today, got off to a good start and was a bit unfortunate on 14 when I laid it up into a divot and walked off with a good six in the end," Bjorn said.

"If you can shoot 66 or 67 (on Sunday) you give yourself a chance and then it's up to other people. You have to try and be as patient as I have been these three days.

"I have stuck to my game plan and it has worked out well and if I can do that tomorrow hopefully it can add some pressure and you can be there right at the end.

"To chase somebody down on this golf course is just going to get you into trouble so just play sensible golf and try to make a putt here and there."

0 comments:

Post a Comment