 |
 |
The image of Connor Syme must be credited to Getty Images and used in conjunction with this release only. Please click on image to download a high-resolution version. You can also download video content and tournament information at the European Tour Media Hub: mediahub.europeantour.com Round Three Report Connor Syme will go in search of a maiden European Tour title after carding a tournament-low eight under par round of 63 to take a one stroke lead into the final day of the Celtic Classic. The Scotsman started the third round four strokes behind halfway leader Sam Horsfield, but quickly made a move with three birdies on the front nine. The 25-year-old carded five birdies on the back nine as he went on to sign for a 15 under par total, one stroke ahead of Horsfield. Horsfield, who is seeking s second title since the European Tour season resumed after winning the Hero Open a fortnight ago, parred the first eight holes before his first birdie of the day on the ninth. Two gains followed on the 14th and 16th holes as, like Syme, he returned a blemish-free card. Sweden’s Sebastian Soderberg carded a bogey-free six under par 65 to move up to third place on 13 under par, one stroke ahead of Thomas Detry of Belgium, England’s Andrew Johnston and Adrian Meronk of Poland. 2016 Ryder Cup player Thomas Pieters of Belgium and England’s Callum Shinkwin share seventh on 11 under. Player Quotes Connor Syme: “I just played lovely, to be honest. It’s obviously very nice conditions and I got off to a decent start. I maybe didn’t play the front nine as well as I’d like but I managed to get to three under through nine, which was great. I holed the putts that I had opportunities on so it was a nice base to build on. It was nice throughout, really. “I felt like I played well in Austria, the first event back, but then a bit slow after that to start the UK Swing. I’m finding a bit of form. I made the cut at the Hero Open and then gradually a little bit better last week. I found something a little bit in my swing and I’m just rolling with that really.” Sam Horsfield: “I actually stayed really calm out there. I felt like I was actually playing really well, I hit a lot of greens and as I said walking up nine, I was just waiting for my putter to get hot. I made a few nice putts, didn’t take advantage of the easy holes on the back nine but I’m happy with the position I’m in. “Me and Mick were just talking about it on the 18th tee, the round I played today would have been very unusual for me in my first year I came out here. I just stuck with it today, stayed patient and when I first came out I was more aggressive and more just fiery, almost. It’s been a long time working, and to see that today, the result, was nice.” Sebastian Soderberg: “I’m very pleased. It was a very stress-free round really. All of my misses were on the high side so I felt like I had a lot of easy two-putts from 30 feet maybe. I managed to sink a few good ones from 20 feet and I really got it going on the back nine, so I feel very good. “I feel like you can be very aggressive. I did hit a few irons poorly today and on the water holes there are a few misses but I feel like if you can get in sync you can really attack a lot of pins out there, especially if the conditions are like these. There’s barely any wind, so you can really take advantage.” Round Three Scores 198 C SYME (SCO) 68 67 63,
|
|
|
|
