Antoine Rozner carded a course record-setting 62 to move into a four-way share of the lead ahead of the final round of the Italian Open presented by Regione Emilia-Romagna.
Related: Wiebe leads packed leaderboard in Italy, Shubhankar in chase
Incredibly, the Frenchman teed off at Adriatic Golf Club in just the second group of the day after making the cut on the number thanks to a birdie on his final hole on Friday, but set a clubhouse target of ten under par after his nine under par round.
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He made the turn three under after birdies on the third, sixth and seventh holes, and then made his fourth gain of the day on the tenth.
The 31-year-old then played the four holes from the 13th in five under par, carding three birdies and an eagle on the 15th hole, as he signed for a six under par back nine, two hours before the leaders teed off.
He is joined on ten under by Germany’s Marcel Siem, who is playing in just his fourth event after returning from hip surgery, 2018 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Shubhankar Sharma and Danish rookie Sebastian Friedrichsen.
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Adrian Otaegui, who won his fifth DP World Tour title at the Volvo China Open in May, is fifth on nine under par, while Gregorio De Leo leads the home charge in a share of sixth on eight under. He is joined on that number by Joel Girrbach of Switzerland and Englishman Andrew Wilson.
In addition to the Italian Open trophy, there are also two spots available for The 152nd Open as part of The Open Qualifying Series. The two highest-placed golfers not currently exempt will earn a place at the final men’s Major Championship of the year. Of those in contention, Sharma and Siem have already booked their places at Royal Troon.
Player Quotes
Antoine Rozner: “Out of all the birdies I’ve made this week so far, the one on 18 yesterday was huge. I bogeyed 17 to be out of the cut line and I had no other choice but to hit the pin, make the putt and that’s what I did. I got back this morning with the mindset of having nothing to lose. The conditions were lovely, the greens were pure. I took advantage of it, it was an amazing day.
“In my game it was just holing putts. I struggled a little bit on the greens during the first two days. Today, I was just rolling it very nicely. It was really nice. I trusted myself a bit more on the reads and committed a little bit more to my lines, that was a big difference to the mindset and hopefully I can bring that in tomorrow.”
Marcel Siem: “I’m really, really happy. It comes earlier than I expected to play that good golf. My plan was to build up for The Open. But I’m super happy. Consistent golf and the bounce-backs were really important. I really enjoy this golf course. It’s very tricky and you have to fiddle around all the time.
Shubhankar Sharma: “I’m very confident. I like the course. I’ve been playing well, sticking to my routines. It’s still a bunched up leaderboard, a lot of players in with a chance. Obviously, I want to win. I’ll give it my all tomorrow. I want to concentrate on the process that has gotten me here up until now and do the same tomorrow. The rest should take care of itself.”
Sebastian Friedrichsen: “It’s difficult to find (a highlight so far). I love competing. That’s why I practice all the hours I practice. I’m just trying to embrace it and enjoy it.
“I’ll try to stay as calm as possible. It’s all those hours of practice that makes days like tomorrow fun. I’ll really just try to enjoy it and see how it goes. I’m just really trying at this point in my career to be a better player each day and to try and stay in the process. It’s difficult at times, but that’s what I’ll try and do.”
