Date: December 11, 2016
Author: Martin Blake

Brazel on verge of big win

 

Australian professional Sam Brazel has a massive chance for a groundbreaking win on the European Tour in the Hong Kong Open today.

Unheralded Brazel, 37, is tied for the lead with Spains Rafa Cabrera Bello through three rounds of the $US2 million event, seeking his first win in Europe.

Brazel, originally from Lismore, is an Asian Tour player who earned a start this week because the event is co-sanctioned. He is ranked 48th in the world. The New South Welshman has been a pro since 2002 and won the Queensland Sunshine Tour order of merit in 2010, joining the Asian Tour in 2013.

A three-under par 67 yesterday took him to the final group on Sunday, with Cabrera Bello faltering on the back nine.

"It would mean the world [to win]," he said. "But there's 18 holes to go and I'm just going to approach it one shot at a time and try and enjoy the moment. Just learn from the experience.

"I started a little nervous on the first but I guess that's the situation you're in. I felt the nerves a little bit at lunch time and just sort of grounded it out and it was fun out there."

Another Australian, Scott Hend, is tied-19th and still in position to win the Asian Tour order of merit today.