Sam Horsfield makes three eagles to soar into contention at British Masters

England’s Sam Horsfield stormed through the field with a stunning third round of 61 in the Betfred British Masters at Close House.
Horsfield only made the halfway cut with a shot to spare but took full advantage of ideal conditions for the early starters on Friday to cover the front nine in just 30 strokes.
Birdies at the first and third were followed by a dropped shot at the difficult par-three fourth, but the 23-year-old bounced back in style with an eagle on the seventh and further birdies on the eighth and ninth.
3 eagles. 5 birdies. 61 shots.
Our new leader, @hr59sam ✍️#BetfredBritishMasters @Workday
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 24, 2020
A second eagle of the day on the par-five 10th had Horsfield dreaming of the second sub-60 round in European Tour history, although pars on the 11th and 12th meant he needed to play the last six holes in five under par to match Oliver Fisher’s feat in the Portugal Masters in 2018.
Further pars on the 13th, 14th and 15th effectively meant a 59 was out of Horsfield’s reach, but he nevertheless finished the round in style with a birdie on the 16th and a remarkable third eagle of the day on the par-five 17th.
A par on the last completed a brilliant score 61 and took Horsfield, temporarily at least, to the top of the leaderboard on 12 under par, a shot ahead of halfway leader Renato Paratore.
Congratulations to @JSenior88 for his hole-in-one on the 14th hole. The GBP 50,000 prize which @Betfred have donated will go to the @SirGWFoundation 👏 pic.twitter.com/1D4eZjLjtW
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 24, 2020
England’s Jack Senior had also enjoyed a surge through the field to eight under par thanks to a 63 which included a hole-in-one from 176 yards on the 14th.
However, tournament host and club member Lee Westwood, who was in the first group out at 7.55am, was unable to get in on the act and struggled to a 72 to slip back to level par.
Latest
-
PGA Tour
It’s been a battle – Rory McIlroy delighted to pip rival Patrick Reed in Dubai
The Northern Irishman birdied the final two holes at Emirates Golf Club to card a closing 68 and finish a shot ahead of Reed on 19 under par.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy holds off rival Patrick Reed with birdie on 18 to seal Dubai win
McIlroy birdied the final two holes at Emirates Golf Club to card a closing 68 and finish 19 under par.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy leads by three in bid to win his third Dubai Desert Classic title
England’s Callum Shinkwin and Dan Bradbury are McIlroy’s closest challengers heading into the final round.
-
LPGA Tour
Golf bid to increase diversity in sport improving but still has ‘long way to go’
Nicola Bennett is an ambassador for the Golf Foundation, helping to drive grassroots campaigns.
-
PGA Tour
Richard Bland boasts share of lead at halfway stage in Dubai Desert Classic
The 49-year-old returned to complete his second round on Saturday morning, carding three more birdies and a solitary bogey in his remaining 14 holes.
-
News
On this day in 2009 – Colin Montgomerie appointed Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
The Scot made eight playing appearances in the competition.
-
News
Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed set up potential showdown in Dubai
McIlroy and Reed found themselves a shot behind world number one amateur Ludvig Aberg and Ian Poulter.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy finishes superbly to take share of lead with rival Patrick Reed
The pre-tournament build-up had been dominated by the war of words between Reed and McIlroy.
-
PGA Tour
Patrick Reed makes impressive start after floods cause delay in Dubai
Reed was able to complete 16 holes on a truncated day at Emirates Golf Club.
-
PGA Tour
England’s Aaron Rai shares lead after first round of Farmers Insurance Open
The 27-year-old started on the more forgiving North Course of Torrey Pines.