DARREN CLARKE TEES OFF THE 17TH HOLE DURING ROUND THREE PHOTO COPYRIGHT MATT HOOPER 2022
23 JULY, 2022 - SENIOR OPEN PRESENTED BY ROLEX: Darren Clarke birdied the last to join Paul Broadhurst at the top of the leaderboard ahead of the final round of The Senior Open Presented by Rolex.
The Northern Irishman entered the third round with a two-stroke lead but, despite giving himself chances, could only post a one under par round of 69 as England’s Broadhurst went three strokes better to share the lead on nine under par at Gleneagles.
The Englishman, who won the Senior Open in 2016, responded to a bogey at the 12th with a trio of birdies from the 13th to card his four under round of 66 and put the pressure on Clarke with the rain getting heavier as the day went on.
Clarke dropped back-to-back shots on the 12th and 13th but steadied the ship to par his way in before his closing birdie ensured he would take a share of the lead into the final round where he will bid to add The Senior Open trophy to the Claret Jug he won in 2011.
The Northern Irishman entered the third round with a two-stroke lead but, despite giving himself chances, could only post a one under par round of 69 as England’s Broadhurst went three strokes better to share the lead on nine under par at Gleneagles.
The Englishman, who won the Senior Open in 2016, responded to a bogey at the 12th with a trio of birdies from the 13th to card his four under round of 66 and put the pressure on Clarke with the rain getting heavier as the day went on.
Clarke dropped back-to-back shots on the 12th and 13th but steadied the ship to par his way in before his closing birdie ensured he would take a share of the lead into the final round where he will bid to add The Senior Open trophy to the Claret Jug he won in 2011.
“I've gone out there and I've played nicely all day. I've given myself chance after chance. I've hit good putts. They just haven't gone in. I've hit 17 greens leading the tournament and played lovely. At least one decided to go in at the last" SAID CLARKE.
“Everybody has practised and we got some rain today and I lost my speed today. I think that's what happened, and I got away with that tee ball on No. 12, and then got a hybrid onto the green and three-putted. I just lost my speed there. It was difficult with the moisture on there. But it's the same for everybody.
“It would be pretty cool to have both of them sitting beside each other, you know what I mean. I would love to win the Senior Open as well as the main Open.
“Tomorrow I give myself an opportunity again. I did it last year, and I gave myself an opportunity. Felt like I didn't quite play well enough on the Sunday. Doddy came through and played great. Hopefully hit a couple more putts and give myself a better chance coming down the last few holes.”“In that weather, quite easy to lose a grip. Really pleased that I played 13, 14, 15, and disappointed at the last missing a 6-footer. 4-under coming down the straight, I was quite happy.
“You're not getting anywhere near as much run. The greens are suddenly starting to take a shot and you're not getting a 20-yard bounce.
“Everybody has practised and we got some rain today and I lost my speed today. I think that's what happened, and I got away with that tee ball on No. 12, and then got a hybrid onto the green and three-putted. I just lost my speed there. It was difficult with the moisture on there. But it's the same for everybody.
“It would be pretty cool to have both of them sitting beside each other, you know what I mean. I would love to win the Senior Open as well as the main Open.
“Tomorrow I give myself an opportunity again. I did it last year, and I gave myself an opportunity. Felt like I didn't quite play well enough on the Sunday. Doddy came through and played great. Hopefully hit a couple more putts and give myself a better chance coming down the last few holes.”“In that weather, quite easy to lose a grip. Really pleased that I played 13, 14, 15, and disappointed at the last missing a 6-footer. 4-under coming down the straight, I was quite happy.
“You're not getting anywhere near as much run. The greens are suddenly starting to take a shot and you're not getting a 20-yard bounce.
PAUL BROADHURST TEES OFF THE 3RD TEE DURING ROUND THREE PHOTO COPYRIGHT MATT HOOPER 2022
THE 2016 SENIOR OPEN CHAMPION PAUL BROADHURST SHOT A THIRD ROUND OF 66 TO FORCE HIS WAY INTO THE FINAL GROUP ON SUNDAY.
"Back nine last two days has played tough. Yesterday was the first time I played the back nine into the wind all week. I struggled. Today I played it a lot better. Some positives to take into tomorrow" SAID BROADHURST.
“Just look at the leaderboard, some top names right behind me. I'm under no illusions, I'm going to have to go out and shoot a number tomorrow. If the weather is fair, I don't think it's particularly -- the forecast is particularly good. I don't mind the wind, and the rain is okay if it's not blowing but if you get both, it's brutal. But we'll see tomorrow.”
“Just look at the leaderboard, some top names right behind me. I'm under no illusions, I'm going to have to go out and shoot a number tomorrow. If the weather is fair, I don't think it's particularly -- the forecast is particularly good. I don't mind the wind, and the rain is okay if it's not blowing but if you get both, it's brutal. But we'll see tomorrow.”
The duo are one stroke clear of New Zealand’s Steven Alker and American Jerry Kelly, both Senior Major Champions, who share third place on eight under par. Eight-time European Number One Colin Montgomerie is the leading Scotsman in a share for fifth place on six under, alongside Australian Stuart Appleby, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and Major Champions Ernie Els and Pádraig Harrington.
Four-time Senior Open winner Bernhard Langer is a shot further back in a tie for tenth place alongside South Africa’s James Kingston.
