Tyrrell Hatton fired a 66 over the Old Course at St Andrews to take the clubhouse lead on day three and put himself in prime position to win a third consecutive Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at -14.
The Englishman became the first player to successfully defend this title last season and is now looking to become the first to win the same regular European Tour event three years in a row since Ernie Els at the Heineken Classic between 2002 and 2004.
Aussie Marcus Fraser has posted a fine 68 67 67 -13 and will join Hatton in the final pairing tomorrow.
Hatton's Ryder Cup colleague Tommy Fleetwood declared himself a little frustrated with his 67 today but still he and Stephen Gallagher are right in contention at -11.
The weather on Scotland's east coast has been cool but sunny and with the rough away down from where it was in July for the Open, and the fairway's no where near as fast, Carnoustie, Kings Barns and the Old Course have been a much easier test of golf, however Mother Nature is sending in the wind for Sunday.
So the field will have a rare shot gun start at 8.30, with the R&A trying to figure out the pairings for the top 60 and ties for the pros, and the top 20 teams from the pro-am.
This is simply a marvellous week for this event as many of Europe's top sportsmen, entertainers and business giants join the pros at these 3 iconic courses for some serious play, and a lot more fellowship and laughs at each other's expense.
Much of that by the way is brilliantly portrayed by the broadcast team lead by Dougie Donnelly, with Mark James, Sam Torrance and Ken Brown who join in the spirit of the week with hysterical jabs a each other, accompanied by hearty laughter from the background crew unheard of on this side of the Atlantic.
Ken Brown commenting on an animal swimming in the salt water outdoor pool behind the R&A clubhouse " That dog will be a seaweedy mess when it's owner gets it out of that pool".... Donnelly " That dog is a seal" .. Brown " Oh is it, ok that seal will be a seaweedie mess when it's owner gets a hold of it".... laughter, then Donnelly " more from our wildlife expert a little later on "...
Tonight there is a gala dinner with all the trimmings, and a spectacular fireworks display on the front lawn of the Old Course Hotel. The early Sunday start and rough weather may curtail the single malts for those who are playing, but none the less these are heady times for the European Tour, so spectacularly triumphant last week in Paris at the Ryder Cup.
Bryan Angus
The Englishman became the first player to successfully defend this title last season and is now looking to become the first to win the same regular European Tour event three years in a row since Ernie Els at the Heineken Classic between 2002 and 2004.
Aussie Marcus Fraser has posted a fine 68 67 67 -13 and will join Hatton in the final pairing tomorrow.
Hatton's Ryder Cup colleague Tommy Fleetwood declared himself a little frustrated with his 67 today but still he and Stephen Gallagher are right in contention at -11.
The weather on Scotland's east coast has been cool but sunny and with the rough away down from where it was in July for the Open, and the fairway's no where near as fast, Carnoustie, Kings Barns and the Old Course have been a much easier test of golf, however Mother Nature is sending in the wind for Sunday.
So the field will have a rare shot gun start at 8.30, with the R&A trying to figure out the pairings for the top 60 and ties for the pros, and the top 20 teams from the pro-am.
This is simply a marvellous week for this event as many of Europe's top sportsmen, entertainers and business giants join the pros at these 3 iconic courses for some serious play, and a lot more fellowship and laughs at each other's expense.
Much of that by the way is brilliantly portrayed by the broadcast team lead by Dougie Donnelly, with Mark James, Sam Torrance and Ken Brown who join in the spirit of the week with hysterical jabs a each other, accompanied by hearty laughter from the background crew unheard of on this side of the Atlantic.
Ken Brown commenting on an animal swimming in the salt water outdoor pool behind the R&A clubhouse " That dog will be a seaweedy mess when it's owner gets it out of that pool".... Donnelly " That dog is a seal" .. Brown " Oh is it, ok that seal will be a seaweedie mess when it's owner gets a hold of it".... laughter, then Donnelly " more from our wildlife expert a little later on "...
Tonight there is a gala dinner with all the trimmings, and a spectacular fireworks display on the front lawn of the Old Course Hotel. The early Sunday start and rough weather may curtail the single malts for those who are playing, but none the less these are heady times for the European Tour, so spectacularly triumphant last week in Paris at the Ryder Cup.
Bryan Angus
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