Tartan invasion of Castle Stuart leaderboard
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MARTIN Laird sees a score of 20 under being good enough to win this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.
And with the Scot just three off the pace at fourteen under after a nine-birdie 64 yesterday, he aims to be in contention during Sunday’s final round.
“I think (with) no wind, you’ve got to get to 20-under. I’m right there and hopefully I can go out and play well again tomorrow,” said Laird after his blistering third round.
“I did exactly what I needed to get myself back in the mix here. My goal was to shoot a low one, and I obviously did that and I’m happy.”
But Laird was not the highest Scot on the leaderboard, as Marc Warren matched his 64 to move join third in the tournament at -15, two behind leader Francesco Molinari.
And a fine round of 66 took Peter Whiteford to fourteen under and usefully placed for a tilt at the championship.
Warren was thrilled to hole a monster putt on 16 for eagle, and with seven birdies also on his card he was satisfied with his day’s work.
“On 16, (I) hit a good drive to the green, and holed it from 80 feet or something,” Marc said. “I felt really in control of everything I was doing, which was different from the first two days.
“It was great today, seeing my name on the board and just trying to get as high as I can.”
With fellow Scots Laird, Whiteford and Stephen Gallacher also n the mix, Warren is pleased to see a tartan invasion going into the final day.
“On the front nine, I saw Stevie Gallacher’s name on the board, he had a good round early on. And Martin Laird, he was flying and looking at 59 or something for a while as well. It’s nice to have a few Scots up there.”
Italian Molinari shot 67 to lead by one from Dane Anders Hansen, who finished with two birdies to move up to 16 under.
Reigning champ Luke Donald is four behind after a second straight 67, while American Phil Mickelson has made a return to form by shooting a third round 65 to follow the previous day’s 64, taking him to -14.
Other Scots include Gallacher at -11 and, Alasdair Forsyth at nine under.
The weather has taken a turn for the worse at Castle Stuart, with heavy rain storm late in the morning of the final round.
Leading pair Molinari and Hanson tee off their final round at 1.02pm.
