Ryder Cup Captain Padraig Harrington showed once again that age is just a number as he fired a third round 68 to jump up to a tie for 8th place on the leaderboard at the abrdn Scottish Open, the second Rolex Series event of the season.
Harrington, who carded three birdies and an eagle alongside two bogeys is now on 10-under par, one stroke ahead of Ardglass’ Cormac Sharvin and four off the pace being jointly set by Thomas Detry and Matt Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick carded a four under par round of 67 to move to 14 under and was joined by Detry, who started the day in a share of the lead, after the Belgian carded a three under par 68. Fitzpatrick is seeking a seventh European Tour victory – and a third on the Rolex Series – while Detry will go in search of his maiden European Tour title.
“I didn’t play as solid tee-to-green as I did the first two days. But just putted really well. Chipped it really solid, too,” said Fitzpatrick.
“The big thing is I feel like I’ve been pretty conservative around this golf course and just playing pretty safe, and I feel like that’s been the smart thing to do and just not made the mistakes maybe that some others have. I think if I can keep doing that tomorrow and keep the putter going, then I’ll be okay,” he added.
World Number One, Jon Rahm is lurking menancingly after the winner of last month’s U.S. Open carded a two under par 69 to move to 13 under, as he looks to win once again in his first appearance since his triumph at Torrey Pines.
“It’s a bit similar to yesterday,” he said. “You see 66, you see a great round, and you see 7-under through ten, and it could have been better, what could have been, and today was the same thing. Great ball-striking, hit great shots.
“Just a couple errors, whether it’s me mentally or technically, whatever it is. It is unfortunate that it’s been happening quite a bit the last few days. I’m usually very, very solid inside five feet. That’s usually my comfortable range. It’s definitely unusual.
“But I’m making it up with a couple other longer putts and hitting really, really good shots out there. My iron play was exceptional today and it was great off the tee. Hopefully I can keep that going tomorrow and clean up the little mistakes and come out on top.”
Australian Lucas Herbert, winner of last week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, climbed 19 places on the leaderboard into fourth on 12 under after a seven under par round of 64. He is one stroke ahead of compatriots Min Woo Lee and Wade Ormsby and American Scottie Scheffler.
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