63 puts Ogilvy in front

Local hero Geoff Ogilvy took the lead after a magnificent eight-under-par 63 in the third round of the JBWere Australian Masters.
Local hero Geoff Ogilvy took the lead after a magnificent eight-under-par 63 in the third round of the JBWere Australian Masters.
His nine birdies and an eagle on Saturday saw him finish on 13 under par, which proved enough to surpass second-round leader Ian Poulter of England, who now trails by two heading into the final round at Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne after a third-round 69.
Australian duo Nathan Green (67) and Ashley Hall (68) are tied in third place a further two shots back and are themselves two shots clear of a group of five that includes Greg Chalmers, who is chasing a Triple Crown of Australian Open, PGA and Masters wins.
A 69 from World No 1 Luke Donald leaves him on five under, eight shots back, while Robert Allenby shot a 67 to lie on three under.
Ogilvy’s 63 matched John Wade’s eight-year-old course record.
“I think I left a few shots out there weirdly enough, but I think I stole a couple as well, so it all balances out,” he said.
He started quickly on Saturday, and by the third hole he had drawn level with Poulter.
He drove the par-four first green to set up a four-foot eagle chance, which he converted, and produced a superb iron shot at the second and a beautiful putt at the third two pick up two more shots.
Poulter responded with back-to-back birides of his own, but could not keep up with Ogilvy’s pace on the day.
A bogey at the fifth seemed only to galvanise the new leader, as he reeled off four birdies in the next five holes.
Out in 29, the course record was very much in his sights, a prospect that seemed only more of a reality when he pitched in for birdie from 40 feet at the par-four 12th to move to eight under for his round, 13 under for the tournament and four shots clear.
A bogey at the 13th finally ended the run, and he then had to wait till the 18th to erase the damage.
“To start eagle, birdie, birdie you’re usually going to have a pretty good day after you do that,” said Ogilvy, who grew up around the corner and is very familiar with the course.
“Playing a thousand rounds on this course I’ve probably only made three or four twos on the first, or maybe five, but not many, so to start a round like that was pretty good.
“After that every time I had a wedge in my hands on the fairway I hit it pretty close.
“All in all … I’m pretty happy.”
Poulter admitted he struggled to find his rhythm amid a confounding breeze on the day.
“Hats off to Geoff for going out and scoring eight-under-par in that wind today, it’s a great score,” he said.
“When someone posts a course record on you on Saturday then generally they move forward.”
“Geoff’s done that and I’ll be chasing him down tomorrow.”
Latest
-
US Open
5 major contenders for the 123rd US Open
Matt Fitzpatrick is bidding to join Brooks Koepka in winning back-to-back titles.
-
US Open
US Open offers on-course respite from golf’s turbulent times
Matt Fitzpatrick will defend his title with many questions still hanging over the game’s future.
-
LIV Golf
Architect of golf’s surprise merger calls for people ‘to come together’
Jimmy Dunne said there is ‘too much divisiveness’ between the rival tours.
-
PGA Tour
Matt Fitzpatrick one off pace in Canadian Open ahead of title defence
England’s Aaron Rai shares the first-round lead in final event before US Open.
-
PGA Tour
Matt Fitzpatrick one off lead at Canadian Open as compatriot Aaron Rai sets pace
Rai was one of three players on five under par midway through the opening round.
-
PGA Tour
Paul McGinley: PGA Tour players will feel like the losers out of golf merger
The former Ryder Cup captain feels PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has put himself in a “very tricky position”.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy left feeling ‘like a sacrificial lamb’ after golf merger
McIlroy was kept in the dark about the stunning deal which was announced on Tuesday.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy ‘surprised’ and has ‘mixed emotions’ over peace deal in world golf
The Northern Irishman thinks “ultimately it’s going to be good” for the professional game.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy involved in angry exchange at PGA Tour players meeting – report
Players are coming to terms with the shock merger with LIV Golf.
-
LIV Golf
Why has Saudi Arabia become big player in world sport and what does future hold?
The country sees sport as vital to diversifying its economy and encouraging activity among its citizens.