Pedro Linhart fired a stunning eight under par 64 on moving day at the WINSTONgolf Senior Open to march into a two-shot lead as the Spaniard chases a maiden European Senior Tour title.
The former European Tour winner is playing his third full season on the over-50s tour but will take a lead into the final round for the first time at the stunning Open Course in northern Germany, with Englishman Gary Marks leading the chasing pack.
Linhart’s flawless round included a purple patch of four consecutive birdies around the turn, the final one coming courtesy of a 30 foot putt at the par five first – his tenth – and moved him to ten under par.
The Cadiz player is relishing his first experience of leading the field in the final day of a Senior Tour event, especially on this imperious form, and he feels he has the necessary experience from days’ past to get the job done.
“I just started to get it flowing,” said the 52 year old, whose sole European Tour win came at the 1999 Madeira Islands Open. “I made a load of birdies and never missed a fairway or green, maybe one green but on the fringe. I had a run going at the turn and that big putt at the first was a real bonus.
“I missed a little putt at the last but every round can always be better in this game. I’d rather hold the lead than to be coming from behind and this is what we’re here for, to play under these conditions.
“I’ve won a couple of events recently in Spain but I’ve never been in this position in a Senior Tour event. It will be windy and cooler but the wind is my friend – I like playing in wind.
“I was leading in the third and fourth rounds when I won the Madeira Islands Open and it’s a long time ago but I just need to try and recall that.
“I’ve been close a few times. Last week I got it going on the front nine but just didn’t have a good finish. I feel like my game is growing as I get older so hopefully I’ll take advantage of that.”
Marks is another man chasing a first Senior Tour title and, in just his fifth start having earned his place through Qualifying School earlier this year, he is hoping a victory can mark a career breakthrough, having tried for many years to make it onto The European Tour without success.
“I’m very happy with that round,” said the Londoner, whose seven under par 65 moved him to within two of the lead on eight under.
“I’ve had a shaky start to my Senior Tour career. I had a wrist injury in Jersey and had to withdraw for that week and the following week, and then last week at Bad Ragaz I was trying to find something but didn’t really play well.
“I’ve brought something better this week and I dropped the putts when they were needed. I had one bit of trouble on 17 but I got out of it with a par so other than that it was just a question of taking my chances.
“That’s the best round of my Senior Tour career, definitely. It’s a rocky old road, being a golfer. One minute you’re up, another minute you’re down. Tomorrow I could play just as well and not take the chances and be six shots worse.
“It will be an exciting day tomorrow, being in the thick of the action. It’s not a breakthrough yet,not until close of play tomorrow. It’s really encouraging to be in this position though. I’m fairly positive, but it’s a treacherous game.”
Paul Wesselingh is one of the three players lurking with intent three shots off the leader on seven under par as the Englishman attempts to successfully defend the title he won in such dramatic circumstances last year – beating Bernhard Langer and Philip Golding on the third play-off hole.
The eight-time Senior Tour winner carded a five under par third round 67 to join his compatriot Bob Cameron (67) and joint first round leader Chris Williams (68) of South Africa in a share of third place.
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