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30 JULY, 2022 - DP WORLD TOUR: Sean Crocker's sensational chip-in eagle at the 18th handed him a two-shot lead going into the final round as he bids to secure his maiden DP World Tour title at the 2022 Hero Open.
The American showed impressive patience on a testing third day at Fairmont St Andrews to get to 18 under par and remain on course for a wire-to-wire victory.
After making four birdies and a single bogey in his opening 12 holes on Saturday, Crocker ran into trouble at the 13th as he could not find a way out of the thick rough after two shots and also had a wall to worry about as he prepared to take his third.
He took time to think about his next step and, instead of taking any risks, he opted for a drop and walked away with a double bogey.
Crocker soon put that to the back of his mind, though, pulling off some battling par saves in breezy conditions before chipping in at the last to sign for a 69.
The American showed impressive patience on a testing third day at Fairmont St Andrews to get to 18 under par and remain on course for a wire-to-wire victory.
After making four birdies and a single bogey in his opening 12 holes on Saturday, Crocker ran into trouble at the 13th as he could not find a way out of the thick rough after two shots and also had a wall to worry about as he prepared to take his third.
He took time to think about his next step and, instead of taking any risks, he opted for a drop and walked away with a double bogey.
Crocker soon put that to the back of his mind, though, pulling off some battling par saves in breezy conditions before chipping in at the last to sign for a 69.
"That was a nice little bonus on 18. I was trying to get it up and down for a birdie but to see that ball drop was pretty cool" SAID CROCKER.
"I wouldn’t say it was cruise control (on the front nine) because you’re trying to make birdies even though it’s pretty windy. I was just plotting around the golf course, a couple of putts dropped. It was nice to see that putt on the par three go in, I missed a few before that and wasn’t feeling the best with the putter. That one gave me a bit of confidence. Made a few in a row, then parring along and found the back side of a wall (on the 13th)
It's a situation I’ve been in before close to a lead but not in control of the tournament. I was in control and it was either chip out or we take a chance and that could be the tournament over. I think we made the right decision by taking the drop and trying to keep the score down as much as we could.
It’s nice to have a bit of room but I also know those gaps can be closed very quickly. Just got to play my own game tomorrow and see what we can do. It would probably be the most special day of my life (to win this week). I play golf for the love of it, for trophies and all that stuff. It’s been a long time since I’ve held something shiny so it would be a nice little present."
Swede Jens Dantorp is two shots further back on 16 under par after posting a bogey-free 69, one ahead of home favourite David Law and Adrian Otaegui of Spain. South African Louis de Jager, Victor Dubuisson of France, Welshman Oliver Farr and England's Eddie Pepperell are then at 14 under.
"I wouldn’t say it was cruise control (on the front nine) because you’re trying to make birdies even though it’s pretty windy. I was just plotting around the golf course, a couple of putts dropped. It was nice to see that putt on the par three go in, I missed a few before that and wasn’t feeling the best with the putter. That one gave me a bit of confidence. Made a few in a row, then parring along and found the back side of a wall (on the 13th)
It's a situation I’ve been in before close to a lead but not in control of the tournament. I was in control and it was either chip out or we take a chance and that could be the tournament over. I think we made the right decision by taking the drop and trying to keep the score down as much as we could.
It’s nice to have a bit of room but I also know those gaps can be closed very quickly. Just got to play my own game tomorrow and see what we can do. It would probably be the most special day of my life (to win this week). I play golf for the love of it, for trophies and all that stuff. It’s been a long time since I’ve held something shiny so it would be a nice little present."
Swede Jens Dantorp is two shots further back on 16 under par after posting a bogey-free 69, one ahead of home favourite David Law and Adrian Otaegui of Spain. South African Louis de Jager, Victor Dubuisson of France, Welshman Oliver Farr and England's Eddie Pepperell are then at 14 under.
