Aaron Rai. Pic: European Tour
Ballymena, Northern Ireland, Sep 27: Aaron Rai takes a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Galgorm Castle Golf Club as he bids for a second European Tour title. After starting the round in shared lead with Australia’s Maverick Antcliff, the Briton of Indian-Kenyan origin, Rai pulled clear courtesy of a three under par third round of 67.
Rai’s maiden victory came at the Honma Hong Kong Open in 2018.
India’s Shubhankar Sharma once again had a rough time as he endures one of his leanest spells, as he carded six-over 76 with four bogeys and a double bogey and no birdies. Sharma is now right at the bottom at T-67th.
India’s other challenger Gaganjeet Bhullar missed the cut.
Rai has led the field or shared the lead after each of the opening three rounds in Northern Ireland and is looking to complete a remarkable double, having won in wire-to-wire fashion in Hong Kong.
Antcliff was one of a number of players who had to return to the golf course this morning to finish his second round, carding eagle on the final hole for a second round 65 before doing it all over again and carding a third round 68. The 27-year-old sits just one shot behind Rai as he aims to win his first European Tour title in just his 19th start.
One stroke further back on six under par are the trio of Dean Burmester, Jazz Janewattananond and Oscar Lengden, while the leading Irishman is former Amateur Champion James Sugrue, in a share of 25th on two over.
Rai said, “I’m pleased with the round overall. It wasn’t easy, the course isn’t playing easy and it wasn’t easy conditions today. It’s always different going out in the final group and with the co-lead on day three, so it’s nice to play with that and play relatively freely and solid today.”
“It would be incredible (to win). Any title on the European Tour is fantastic, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open has an illustrious history, it’s a huge event, it always has been. I want to put that out of my mind going into tomorrow. There’s still a lot of significance to it, but I’ll hope to do the same kind of things and see where it puts us at the end of tomorrow.”
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Shubhankar makes cut in Irish Open; Bhullar misses as does Shane Lowry
Sharma lies T-52nd after 2-over 72, Bhullar 5-over at Irish Open
