McGovern in prime position for title tilt at Dutch Masters

Brendan McGovern is lurking just three shots off the pace with one round to go at the Senior Dutch Masters in Holland.

 Image by Golffile.ie
 
The Headfort professional currently shares a tie for 3rd after 36-holes on one over par for the tournament as he looks to win on the European Seniors Tour for the first time in his career.
 
A steady level par round of 71 has left McGovern with every chance going into Sunday, but he has the daddy of all competitors to hunt down to achieve a maiden title.
 
Record European Senior Tour winner Carl Mason will take a one stroke lead into the final round at The Dutch in his bid for a record-breaking 26th victory – all in good time Brendan!
 
The 64 year old carded his second consecutive round of 70, one under par, for a two under par total, one stroke ahead of American Clark Dennis who will go in search of his second victory of the season.
 
Similarly to the first round, the 54-man field had to contend with strong winds and rain at The Dutch, a European Tour Destination and host of the KLM Open. Mason and Dennis were the only two players to finish their second rounds under par.
 
Mason, who won his first title on the over-50s circuit in 2003, broke former Ryder Cup player Tommy Horton’s record of 23 victories six years ago when he won the Open de España Senior. His 25th victory came later in 2011 at the Benahavis Senior Masters.
 
“I’m delighted with that,” said Mason. “I kept swinging at it and it kept going straight, a few putts went in and it was as enjoyable as it could be given the circumstances. It’s playing so difficult out there, it’s very tricky.
 
“I’ve had some really good rounds then some bad rounds. I want to put it down to age, but maybe it’s just me. When you get older it’s not as easy.
“Me and Des Smyth have always said we have wanted to get a win in our 60s and that would be wonderful. I appreciate how good these guys are now, so I’ll go out there and try my best.”
 
Dennis, the 18-hole leader, carded a second round of 72, one over par, for a one under par total after two rounds.
“The weather turned on the back nine, and I played the 11th and 12th in horrific conditions – turning those par four holes into par fives,” said Dennis. “It was so difficult towards the end. It was a war out there today; it was brutal.
“There was a period during the round when it was almost impossible, and I just happened to be on the two hardest holes. I am pleased though, one under is a great score in these conditions.”
 
Stephen Dodd and Paul Eales are alongside Brendan McGovern in third place on one over par, with Andrew Oldcorn in sixth place a shot further back.