Ajman: Swedish golfer Henric Sturehed tightened his grip on the Mena Tour Championship by seizing a massive seven-shot lead going into the final around at Al Zorah Golf Club on Wednesday.
A good five shots in front at the start, Sturehed rode a scorching start en route to a 67 to reach 18-under for the tournament as Marshall, his playing partner, carded a tidy 69, to sit alone in second place at 11-under.
Order of Merit leader Jamie Elson of England reeled off three straight birdies coming home in his third-round 70 that left him alone in third on nine-under with Adam Sagar joining Sweden’s Fredrik From for a share of fourth on seven-under.
On a day when Mena Tour patron Darren Clarke and Michael Campbell, the 2005 US Open champion, visited the venue, Welshman Toby Hunt kept it clean on the back nine with five birdies in his third-round 66 as he joined Canada’s Lindsay Renolds and Jake Shepherd of England in a three-way tie for sixth on six-under.
It was Sturehed, who again took centrestage with a birdie-filled third round to extend his advantage. “Played a solid tee-to-green. I feel like my swing is comfortable and consistent. Hit it close (to the pin) and created many scoring opportunities,” said the 27-year-old Swede, who notched up seven birdies, including six on the front nine, against two bogeys.
“My gameplan is to just play my game and try and make as many birdies possible, and the rest will take care of itself,” said Sturehed, who will approach the final round with one hand on the trophy.
Digging into his vast experience, Marshall kept alive his chances of making a strong finish. “Played nicely and holed some good putts,” said the veteran Englishman, who lauded Sturehed for his all-round game.
“He is a superb talent. Very impressed with his game. He is strong off the tee and accurate with his irons. He has great potential and I absolutely believe he will go far,” he added.
On a day when players wore red, white (the colours of the American flag) as a mark of respect for Billy Mellon, a former Mena Tour player who died aged 35 recently, 19 players finished the third round in red figures.
