European Amateur: Widegren leads with 18 holes to play
8/10/2012 | by
see also: View results for European Amateur, Vasatorps Golfklubb
Welshman James Frazer's 62 sets course record, Pontus Widegren leads heading into the final round
KILDARE, Ireland (Aug 10, 2012) It’s been somewhat of a challenge for the leaders to get some attention this week at the Chartis Europe sponsored European Amateur Golf Championship at Carton House Golf Club.
With two course record equalling rounds of 64 already this week, both players and spectators were taken aback when Welshman James Frazer tore the Montgomerie designed course apart with a sensational 10 under par round 62 to propel himself right into contention heading into the final round on Saturday.
25 year old Frazer, who is four shots behind the Swede Pontus Widegren, played the front nine in four-under par, but came home in six-under par.
"I got off to a good start, holed a 30 footer on the first and just was playing nicely, birdied four, just going along alright. I hit it to about a foot on six which was nice and birdied eight as well, holed a nice putt there.
“I bogeyed ten, that was my only bogey of the round. I knocked it in the rough and couldn't get it to the green. I holed a 40 footer for birdie on 11, then a couple of pars. I finished great, six under for the last five. I holed about a 30 footer for eagle on the last, that was a putt I was just trying to get close”.
With only ten putts on his back nine, Frazer single putted the last eight holes in a run that saw him play the last five holes in six-under par, which included the eagle on the last.
The previous course record was held by Alan Dunbar and Daniel Jannevret who both shot 64 earlier this week, to match Damian Mooney’s score from an Irish PGA tour event in 2011.
The leader going into the final round is Sweden’s Pontus Widegren who carded a third round 65 to lie on 13 under par, one clear of Goncalo Pinto of Portugal.
"It was a great round, nine birdies and I wasn't expecting nine birdies when I teed off today. There was a little more wind out there today. I put my drive in the same bunker on number one as I did yesterday, and started with a bogey again, but I got things straightened out.
“I birdied four and five, hit some really nice shots into those two and then went along from there. I hit a great five iron into eight to about five feet and made eagle. The eagle kind of kick started me for the back nine, and then I got through the tougher holes nicely with par, and made good birdies coming in at 14, 15, 16 and 18."
Widegren has been without a major win for a while and will be looking forward to the challenge of playing in the final grouping.
"As soon as I started making a run today I could see myself being in the last couple of groups tomorrow and that's exactly where I want to be. I'm extremely happy, but I'm not too pleased until it's over and finished first".
Ireland’s best hopes lie with Kevin Phelan who is six shots behind the leader on seven-under par while Alan Dunbar is two shots further back on five-under par.
Results: European Amateur
| Place | Player | Location | Pts | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | , Wales | 1500 | 68-71-72-66--277 | |
| 2 | , Wales | 1000 | 71-74-62-71--278 | |
| 3 | , Denmark | 700 | 69-67-71-72--279 | |
| T4 | , Ireland | 700 | 73-66-70-71--280 | |
| T4 | , Sweden | 700 | 71-67-75-77--280 |
About the European Amateur
The premier championship in Europe, conducted by the European Golf Association, which is comprised of 38 member countries. 72 hole stroke play format. After 54 holes the field is cut to the leading 60 players and ties. The winner earns a spot in the ...
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