Nacho Elvira will take an imposing four-shot lead into the final round of the Soudal Open as he goes in search of a second DP World Tour title in Belgium.
Related: Nacho Elvira edges ahead in Soudal on back of familiar 64
The Spaniard started the week with back-to-back bogey-free rounds of 64 at Rinkven International Golf Club. And while his Saturday 67 included his first dropped shots of the week, he got to 18 under to take the joint largest 54-hole lead of the season into Sunday.
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Elvira entered the final round of the Cazoo Open supported by Gareth Bale in 2021 with a six-shot advantage but needed a play-off to claim his maiden title and will be hoping to avoid such drama in Antwerp.
He is enjoying a new-found consistency this season, missing just one cut by a single shot and securing a tie for second at the Magical Kenya Open in February. He will now be aiming to turn that form into a win at a course where he feels comfortable having finished in the top ten two years ago.
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English duo Ross Fisher and Joe Dean – who shared second place with Elvira in Kenya three months ago – Frenchman Romain Langasque and Dane Niklas Nørgaard were the nearest challengers at 14 under, a shot clear of another Englishman in Andrew Wilson.
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Home favourite Thomas Pieters finished birdie-birdie to get to 12 under, alongside Spain’s Sebastian Garcia. European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald had a remarkable start to his third round, birdieing the first five holes, and ultimately signing for a 65 to sit amongst a group of nine players at 11 under.
Player Quotes
Nacho Elvira: I started pretty solid with three birdies in a row. Hitting the ball well, quite in control. At the end of the day I felt a bit tired, but managed to save a few pars, made a couple of birdies at the end. Not the best swing on 18th tee, but I’m happy overall.
My approach game is really good. This week it has been fantastic I think. I’m also putting really well, that helps. As long as I can hit it pretty straight off the tee, I think I can make myself a lot of opportunities. Hopefully do that tomorrow.
I would have taken ten more shots (going into the final round at the Cazoo Open three years ago). I was leading by six then, leading by four now. With three or four more I would have been more relaxed.
But this game is funny sometimes. I came here not hitting it as well as I wanted, and all of a sudden I’m leading by four. It’s a weird game. I learned a lot about being patient that day, so hopefully I can take that into tomorrow.
Ross Fisher: It was a grind if I’m being honest. Probably didn’t have my best all in all. Felt like I hit it decent off the tee, missed a few sloppy greens. Struggled a bit around the greens with the short game. Feeling a lie that felt firm but with the rain it was soft, so misjudged a few lies.
Due to the rain the greens just slowed up a bit and all my pace putts were slightly off. It was a struggle, a battle, but I felt I hung in there nicely. Dropped one in on the last for one under, so I’m pleased.
You can be pretty aggressive (on this course). Walking up the last to the green, speaking to Wally (commentator Anthony Wall), he said ‘you still drive it great Fish’. It’s nice to hear. I’m hitting it nicely, probably be as aggressive as I was today.
Niklas Nørgaard: It was quite similar to the other days. Very consistent, in play. Pretty good iron play, holing some putts. It feels in control and that’s a nice position to be in.
Every time you can hit it long it’s an advantage. I played here two years ago and I maybe hit two or three drivers. This week I have been playing 12 drivers every day. I’m quite aggressive but that’s only because I’m hitting it well at the moment so I allow myself to do that. Of course you have the trouble on the sides, but it’s been a good driving week.
I have been as aggressive as you can be here. I’m going to continue doing that. It’s been a good game plan so far and I’ll continue doing that.
Joe Dean: I kept in my own bubble, just one shot at a time and it turned out nicely. The first chip in on 13, hit a nice drive. Second shot was out of the semi, caught a bit of a flyer over the green. Didn’t have much to work with. Hit a nice flop shot, probably carried it a couple of yards too far, but managed to hit the pin and drop in.
After the rain fall yesterday and last night it wouldn’t have surprised me if we were postponed this morning. For it to have held up – the greens are fine, some of the fairways are a bit wet – but as a whole for the amount of water we have had, it’s doing very well.
I learned (in Kenya) that my game is good enough to compete. And you’ve just got to take each shot as it comes and go from there. If it’s your day, it’s your day, if it’s not, you go again next week and do the same again.
