DP World Tour. Magical Kenya Open Leaderboard
Jorge Campillo will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the 2023 Magical Kenya Open Presented by Absa after finishing with four successive birdies on Saturday.
The Spaniard began the day five shots off the lead but charged through the field with a flawless 63 which contained eight birdies, setting the early clubhouse target at 13 under par.
The two-time DP World Tour winner was nearly overtaken at the top of the leaderboard in dramatic fashion as Scotland's Robert MacIntyre almost holed his approach at the 18th for an albatross.
MacIntyre's wedge shot hit the hole before running around ten feet past, and although he was unable to convert his eagle putt, the 2022 DS Automobiles Italian Open winner made a closing birdie to sit alone in second, one stroke behind Campillo.
Jayden Schaper and Masahiro Kawamura were then in a tie for third on 11 under.
Campillo made a bright start on day three, notching birdies at the third, fifth and ninth to turn in 33 blows.
After taking advantage of the short 11th, 36-year-old Campillo earned a share of the lead with a hat-trick of birdies at the 15th, 16th and 17th.
And he produced a great up-and-down from a bunker at the last to make it four birdies in a row.
Campillo's 63 was the joint-lowest round of the week so far and gives him a slender advantage heading into Sunday.
He said: "It was a great round. I played really solid and was able to make a few long putts as well, that helps.
"I finished great. Four birdies in a row to finish and I didn’t have a chance to make any bogeys. It was a comfortable round. I hit it very solid and I putted great, so everything worked out really good.
"I’m glad that I’ve won twice, otherwise I’d be quite nervous. Since I know how hard it is to win I just need to have a good day tomorrow and hope nobody else plays great like I did today.
"It’s not going to be easy, I’m going to try and keep playing the way I have been and see if I can make the putts."
MacIntyre made five birdies on the front nine at Muthaiga Golf Club, with his only blemish before the turn a bogey at the third.
After curling in his tricky eagle putt at the long tenth, MacIntyre bogeyed the 16th before tapping in for a birdie on the last.
Speaking about his near-miss on the 18th, MacIntyre said: "Mike (caddie Mike Thomson) was adamant I should stay in the middle of the green but I had a wedge in my hand - I'm not really backing away from a pin with a wedge.
"That's the way I play golf and it was just good to see it be up there close."
europeantour.com
Bryan Angus edit.
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