The PGA of Switzerland’s Alec Roberts holds the lead at -10 (206) heading into the final Round of the 2014 UniCredit PGA Professional Championship of Europe, and is looking to go one better than his tied-second place finish in last year’s championship.
Roberts finished alongside fellow countryman, Corsin Caviezel, six shots behind eventual winner Federico Elli (PGA of Italy) in 2013, but has showed more dominance this year sitting one ahead of the chasing pack.
“It would be fantastic [to win],” said Roberts. “It was well received back home last year – I had so many messages…and even today on Facebook and Twitter. They’re proud that a Swiss guy is doing something successful and I hope I can make them Proud.
“There’s a few key shots on the front nine – the tee-shots on two, three, five and six – if you get those away and get round the turn in around level then the back nine is a scoring-fest.”
Roberts started the day tied for the lead with the PGA of Holland’s Ralph Miller, and his solid two-under 70 kept him just ahead of Hugo Santos (PGA of Portugal). Santos, the tournament’s 2011 and 2012 champion, took 69 shots (-3) to make it around for his nine-under par total (207), and has his sights set on making it a hat-trick:
“It’s different [this year], in my opinion the field is a bit stronger, but I just want to be focused on my game and we will see at the end. If I have a chance and feel comfortable to do it [play more aggressively], I will.”
Whilst weather conditions were better than Round 2, the wind continued to blow across Pravets Golf Club, Bulgaria, making scoring a real challenge for all the Professionals. The leading pack jostled for position continuously throughout the day, which included Holland’s Miller and the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland’s (England), Russ Berry, who share third place at eight-under par (208), each within touching distance of the lead.
“I played solid again, I just didn’t hole as many putts as I did yesterday,” said Miller. “I finished on a bogey which is not good for the humour…but if I can get some putts going tomorrow then maybe I can…at least try and get them nervous. I don’t think a Dutchman has ever won here so for that reason it would be really good [to win].”
Berry added, “I’m looking forward to tomorrow…it’s not a position I’ve found myself in too often so it’ll be interesting to see how I handle it tomorrow, but I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve played really good every day to be fair and there haven’t been too many mistakes…so long may it continue.”
With the top-ten players all within six shots of the lead, the final round is set to be a close-run affair as they each vie for the title of 2014 UniCredit PGA Professional Champion of Europe.
The Final Round of the 2014 UniCredit PGA Professional Championship of Europe at Pravets Golf & Spa Resort begins tomorrow at 0900am (EEST). For full Round 3 scores and updates visit http://eur.pe/1t2FsIz.
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For more information about the Confederation of Professional Golf, visit the Tournament Hub Page (http://eur.pe/1t2FsIz), follow @PGAsofEurope (http://bit.ly/Pojrwy) and search #PassportToPravets (http://eur.pe/1e6YQex) on Twitter, or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.
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