Cormac Sharvin fired a three-under par round of 69 to move inside the top-25 ahead of the final round of the Austrian Open.
The Ardglass professional posted his best return of the week, carding an impressive six birdies and three dropped shots on a warmer day at Diamond Country Club. Into the red for the week at one-under par, Sharvin sits in a tie for 25th, eight shots off the leaders but one ahead of his former Walker Cup teammate Paul Dunne who rallied on the back-nine to post an even par effort.
The Greystones golfer recovered from being three-over par through 11 holes with three back-nine birdies to remain at level par for the tournament in a tie for 37th. It’s Dunne’s first weekend appearance on the Tour since last August.
At the head of affairs, Martin Kaymer is within touching distance of a first victory since winning the 2014 U.S. Open by eight shots, as the German enters the final round in a share of the lead alongside Spain’s Alejandro Cañizares.
The former World Number One carded a third round 69 to move to nine under where he joined the leader from each of the opening two days, two-time European Tour winner Cañizares – who is also hoping to bridge a gap of seven years since his last title. For two-time Major winner Kaymer, who won the Austrian Amateur Open in 2003, victory would mean a 12th European Tour title and an almighty push in the direction of the coveted top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking – it could move him as high as 63rd.
“Mentally I’m really excited about tomorrow, it really doesn’t matter what happens – if you win or not – it’s just nice to be in that position,” said Kaymer. “Last year I had a couple of chances which I didn’t use. More often as you get into that position I think you get more comfortable and then it’s just a matter of time. After three days I think I’m happy to go out tomorrow and see what happens.
“It’s only April, there are so many tournaments to play, big events coming up, so I don’t think it will make a huge difference – whoever wins it tomorrow will not make the Ryder Cup team. It’s just nice for your confidence, for your belief that you can win again. For me it has been a while. We are obviously not there yet but it’s nice to be in that position and I look forward to it.”
Cañizares signed for a two under 70 which included two double bogeys and six birdies to maintain his hopes of a wire-to-wire victory.
Maximilian Kieffer of Germany sat in second spot on his own after a four under 68 moved him to within one stroke of the lead on eight under par, while American John Catlin was a shot further back after a third round 71.
- Full scoring HERE
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