British Masters champion Paul Dunne is not give up hopes of a second Tour success heading to the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Links in Scotland.
The Greystone’s golfer managed to save par after an errant drive left down his final hole at Kingsbarns Links in a round of 70 to move to third place on 11-under par.
Dunne’s effort was not as good as the 64 he posted on debut at Kingsbarns two years ago but in contrast he is on the verge of another big jump in not only the World Rankings but also the Race to Dubai title chase.
Defending Dunhill champion, Tyrrell Hatton added a second straight bogey-free 67 also competing at Kingsbarns and open-up a commanding five-shot lead at 18-under par as he looks to become the first repeat winner in the $USD 5m event.
Dunne’s round, and starting with a birdie from the 10th hole, was a mix of three birdies and just the one bogey at the short 14th that he was playing as his fifth.
“It was tricky out there but I got off to a nice start birdieing one of the first two and three-putted 12 for par and then I really struggled 13 through 17 were praying really tough, back into us, strong breeze,” he said.
“So I can’t play great but I managed to scramble some pars so 2-under was okay, considering the conditions and how I played. I didn’t play that well.
“My swing started to feel better towards the end and just a few loose shots on the last hole so all-in-all 70 is a decent return, so I’m not totally out of it but I need a seriously low one tomorrow by the looks of how Tyrrell is playing.
“Now with a round to play I will try and get off to a quick start.
“I think there’s going to be less wind tomorrow, and if it’s the same direction, that means the scoring will be pretty good. So if I can try to get a few under in the first few holes, get a bit of momentum and then just try to build from that and shoot as low as I can and see what happens.”
Shane Lowry, and also at Kingsbarns Links, grabbed seven birdies in a five-under par 66 to move into a share of 18th place on seven-under par and one fewer than Graeme McDowell signed-off for 70 and also on Kingsbarns Links.
Rory McIlroy (68) and Gavin Moynihan (72) made it right on the four-under par cut-off mark.
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