England’s Matt Fitzpatrick put himself on course for a hat-trick of Omega European Masters titles with a third-round 67.
The 2022 U.S. Open winner, who turned 29 on Friday, combined seven birdies with two bogeys and a double bogey on the 13th to move to 15 under par.
Fitzpatrick, who became the first player since Seve Ballesteros to defend a title at Crans-sur-Sierre with his victories in 2017 and 2018, is two clear of Swedes Ludvig Aberg and Alexander Björk and Scotland’s Connor Syme.
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As well as a third title in the Swiss mountains, which would see Fitzpatrick draw level with Ballesteros for most wins in the event, he will also seal an automatic Ryder Cup berth via the World Points list by finishing in at least a tie for seventh with one other player.
Björk, whose previous DP World Tour title came in China five years ago, made four birdies and two bogeys in his 68, while compatriot Aberg finished with a hat-trick of gains in his 66.
Syme also made a fast finish with birdies on the 14th, 15th and 16th in a round of 65 as he chases a maiden DP World Tour victory.
Player quotes
Matt Fitzpatrick: A sloppy mistake on nine, I don’t know what was going on around that hole. The first putt moved tonnes left to right and the second one didn’t move, that was annoying. Then a poor shot on 13, but happy to play the last five or six in three under to get myself back in it, that was really important.
I knew that 14 is reachable in two, 15 is gettable today with the down wind. I was hoping I could pick up one on the last three as well, and I did on 18.
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Just really pleased to get back into it and make sure I’m in the mix come Sunday. It could have easily unravelled, if you two pars on the easy par fives, all of a sudden, you are quite a few behind. It’s important to get a lead going into tomorrow, and looking forward to playing again with it.
I feel like there a lot of things for me this week, I can wrap up Ryder Cup and I can match Seve’s record by winning here three times. A win around here is always special, so if it could be my third it would be even better. Looking forward to tomorrow, and ready to go.
Alexander Bjørk: I have played played preferred lies for a month back through all the rounds, played it the first three rounds here – the two rounds and the pro-am – the course is playing nice, I wasn’t thinking, just put the tee down and lifted it up for a second and put it back down (on the fourth).
But without that I don’t know if I would have made birdie (on the fifth) because maybe I was more aggressive. So, I ‘m not thinking about that too much. It was a nice par save and then when I made birdie on the next hole it felt like I was turning it around. I’m happy with that.
The first days it felt a bit easier than today, a quick look at the scores it seems like it’s tougher. The pins are a bit more on the edges It’s tough to put the score (that you think you’ll need to win) I’m just going to try to be a little more sharp, like I was the first two days.
Connor Syme: I two dropped shots that were soft-ish, but the way I bounced back was brilliant to be totally honest. Very pleased with the position I’m in. It’s not been the best of seasons for me so far but I’m definitely seeing some good signs over the last tournament in Galgorm and into this one. I’m so excited to be in this position and hopefully I can play well tomorrow.
I missed the cut at The Open and I was really disappointed, it’s something I had been looking forward to since I qualified last year. I had a real think about how I could improve over the next three weeks, and it’s really nice to see that paying off at Galgorm and into this week. It’s just a lot of positive stuff with my psychologist, putting coach, swing coach, my dad. It’s been really positive and hopefully I can take that into tomorrow.
I absolutely love it up here but I didn’t play great a couple of times. I missed the cut on the first year and it didn’t work out for me to come back. I was at my friend Richard Mansell’s wedding last week, which changed my schedule to come out and play here. It couldn’t be going better so far.
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Ludvig Aberg: It’s always nice to finish well, especially with the way I started I would have taken that any day standing on the 18th tee box. I was swinging it great, struggling a bit on the greens at times, but overall happy with the score today.
It’s been like this the last two tournaments, I feel I’ve been pretty good tee to green but haven’t been able to put those great rounds together. I always try to tell myself to stay patient and let go of frustration. I felt like I did a good job of that today.
I always have that belief that I can turn it around – as you should. But chipping in on 16 was fun and if you hit great shots down the last couple of holes, there are some birdie chances, but you need to hit those shots. Luckily, I did today and looking forward to tomorrow.
I can’t wait (for tomorrow), it’s what you dream of, what you want to do. Luckily I’m here today and looking forward to tomorrow as well.
