Date: September 01, 2013
Author: Omnisport

Uihlein charges into Wales Open lead

Peter Uihlein fired a four-under par 67 to take the lead going into the final round of the Wales Open at Celtic Manor. Uihlein hit five birdies and an eagle at the ninth to hold the outright lead, and had he not bogeyed the first, fifth and 17th he would have been even further ahead. The 24-year-old held a 50-foot putt at the 10th, a shot that epitomised his day, and admitted he is looking forward to the final round. “I was just solid today and was able to plot my way around,” he said. “I am excited (for tomorrow) and looking forward to it. “I feel like I ve given myself a few opportunities this year and hopefully I can stick to my gameplan.” The American remains three shots clear of France s Thomas Levet and Gregory Bourdy. Levet also shot 67 for the second successive day – to move into contention alongside his compatriot who carded a one-under par 71. The Frenchman hit five birdies on the front nine to put himself firmly in contention, impressive after a four-over par 75 on the opening round. Sweden s Peter Hedblom was the biggest mover on day three as his five-under par 66 saw him climb 40 places up the leaderboard. The Swede had just one blot on his card a bogey at 16 that included six birdies. Joost Luiten from the Netherlands and Spain s Rafael Cabrera-Bello share fourth-place alongside Hedblom, while five players sit a further shot back on two-under par. Liam Bond who led after the second round tumbled out of the reckoning in spectacular fashion with a seven-over par 78. The Welshman fell 30 places to two-over par Two bogeys on the front nine were followed by a third on the 10th and a treble-bogey on the 12th. A birdie at the par four 15th gave signs of a potential recovery in the closing holes but bogeys at 16 and 17 saw him drop out of contention. Richard Green is the best placed of the Australians after he managed a one-under-par 70 to move to a share of 12th with Brett Rumford one shot back in a seven-way tie for 16th. Scott Arnold (+2) and Andrew Dodt (+7) are well out of contention.