DP World Tour | Smith opens three-shot lead at French Open

Smith opens three-shot lead at French Open

England's Jordan Smith fired a seven-under-par second-round 64 to grab a three-shot lead in the French Open on Friday.

Scot Ewen Ferguson was two strokes back after his 67 with a two-shot cushion over six men tied on seven under par.

They included Frenchman Julien Brun, who hit 66, Japan's Ryo Hisatsune, Dane Rasmus Hojgaard, South African Zander Lombard, Englishman Richard Mansell and German Yannik Paul.

Smith birdied five of the first six holes and then tackled the tough back nine in 33 for a round of 64, two shots better than the next best rounds of the day.

The Englishman has made the cut in his last ten consecutive starts.

"The last few weeks have been really good, been putting lovely, so there's a lot of confidence in there," he said.

"I hit some awesome iron shots. The challenge was mainly the wind."

Overnight leader Tom Kim was a victim of the famous closing stretch at Le Golf National, which will host the 2024 Olympic golf event, finding the water on the 16th, where he made a double-bogey, and again on the last, for a treble-bogey.

Smith bogeyed the par three 16th but took the shot back with a birdie on 17.

"You've seen it in the past, those last few holes catch people out so it's more of the same. Staying aggressive, greens are soft so you can go straight at the pins," Smith said.

Robert MacIntyre, who will feature in the Ryder Cup next week, missed the cut by six shots after a second-round 77 left him six over.

- AFP

New Zealand's Fox wins BMW PGA Championship

New Zealand's Ryan Fox won the BMW PGA Championship with a superb final round fightback to ruin the title dreams of rising star Ludvig Aberg at Wentworth on Sunday.

Fox began the day three shots behind overnight leader Aberg and a triple-bogey seven on the third hole appeared to have taken him out of contention.

But the 36-year-old covered his last 13 holes in eight under par for a closing 67.

Fox's 18-under-par final total gave him a one-shot victory over playing partner Aaron Rai and Tyrrell Hatton.

"I don't really know what to think at the moment to be honest," Fox said after his fourth DP World Tour title.

"It's not a tournament that has treated me very well in the past, although I've loved coming here. I don't know what changed today but it's pretty special to make a birdie on the last to win.

"To have a back nine like that, especially after how I started the day, it's amazing. I played great and pretty much didn't miss a shot from the third hole onwards."

Rai missed a long eagle putt on the 18th which could have given him the title or at least forced a playoff.

World number three Jon Rahm, who had been runner-up on each of his two previous appearances at Wentworth, carded a 68 to claim fourth place on 16 under.

Sweden's Aberg, who had been seeking successive tournament victories in just his 10th event as a professional, held a two-shot lead after 54 holes.

But the 23-year-old sensation slumped to a closing 76, including two double bogeys in the space of three holes.

'Stupid mistakes'

Aberg, whose victory in the final qualifying event earned him a Ryder Cup wild card, admitted failing to close out victory would "sting for a long time".

"It was quite difficult out there and I made a few stupid mistakes where I missed on the wrong side and was a little bit too cute with the chips," he said.

"It cost me today and I'm trying to learn from it. I'm looking forward to the next time I'm in that same position."

Seven members of Europe's Ryder Cup side packed the top 10, with Rory McIlroy surging through the field with a round of 65.

McIlroy, who only made the cut thanks to a birdie on the 18th hole in near darkness on Friday, finished in a tie for seventh place before heading to Mykonos for a friend's stag do on Monday.

Asked if Europe captain Luke Donald would be pleased ahead of the clash with the United States in Rome later in September, McIlroy said: "It's awesome. We're in a good spot.

"We had a really good day in Rome on Monday, the team's been shaping up really well for the last couple of months, everyone's been in pretty good form.

"It's still almost two weeks away until the first ball is hit on the Friday morning but I'm sure you'll ask all the boys that are coming in here they are all just so excited to get to Rome and get going."

- AFP

Leading second-round scores in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth (GBR & IRL unless stated, par 72):

134: Ludvig Aaberg (SWE) 68-66, Sebastian Soederberg (SWE) 70-64

135: Tommy Fleetwood 69-66, Adrian Meronk (POL) 67-68, Thomas Detry (BEL) 67-68, Masahiro Kawamura (JPN) 70-65

136: Aaron Rai 69-67, Sepp Straka (AUT) 70-66

137: Tyrrell Hatton 68-69, Jorge Campillo (ESP) 67-70, Ryan Fox (NZL) 69-68, Matthew Baldwin 67-70, Connor Syme 67-70, Kim Joo-Hyung (KOR) 70-67

138: Jon Rahm (ESP) 71-67, Matthew Fitzpatrick 66-72, Billy Horschel (USA) 75-63, Min-Woo Lee (AUS) 71-67, Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 67-71, Rikuya Hoshino (JPN) 67-71, James Morrison 67-71, Nathan Kimsey 70-68, Robin Sciot-Siegrist (FRA) 69-69

139: Viktor Hovland (NOR) 69-70, Callum Shinkwin 68-71, Richie Ramsay 66-73, Rafael Cabrera Bello (ESP) 72-67, Calum Hill 68-71

140: Shane Lowry 69-71, Vincent Norrman (SWE) 70-70, Rasmus Hoejgaard (DEN) 73-67, Romain Langasque (FRA) 69-71, Adam Scott (AUS) 71-69, Andy Sullivan 72-68, Darius van Driel (NED) 70-70

Note: Play suspended due to darkness, with second round to be finish on Saturday.

Helligkilde takes early lead at BMW PGA Championship

Marcus Helligkilde produced a big finish at Wentworth Club to open up a two-shot lead after day one of the BMW PGA Championship.

The Dane birdied his final three holes to sign for a 64 and move to eight under par ahead of Scot Richie Ramsay and England's Matt Fitzpatrick, before play was halted due to fading light in the fourth Rolex Series event of the season.

All 12 members of Europe's Ryder Cup team are teeing it up this week and Fitzpatrick was the best of them on Thursday, with Matthew Baldwin and James Morrison one shot further back at five under par alongside Spanish pair Jorge Campillo and Pablo Larrazábal, Belgian Thomas Detry, Japan's Rikuya Hoshino, Pole Adrian Meronk and Scot Connor Syme.

But it was 2021 European Challenge Tour Number One Helligkilde who stole the show in Surrey.

He carded ten birdies en route to matching his lowest DP World Tour round to par, as he looks to better his second-place finish in Korea earlier this year - the best result of his DP World Tour career so far. 

Ryder Cup teammates Ludvig Åberg and Tyrrell Hatton are amongst a group of nine players at four under par, with a further three of Luke Donald's side - Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland and defending champion Shane Lowry - at three under, alongside European Junior Ryder Cup Captain Stephen Gallacher, Rolex Series winner Aaron Rai and a further six players. 

- DP World Tour

Ludvig Aberg storms to first DP World Tour title in Switzerland

Ludvig Aberg claimed a maiden victory in only his second DP World Tour event as a professional courtesy of a stunning finish at the Omega European Masters.

The former World Amateur Number One confirmed his status as one of golf's rising stars with a closing 64 at Crans-sur-Sierre to deny Matt Fitzpatrick a hat-trick of titles in the Swiss mountains.

Sweden's Aberg birdied four of his last five holes to finish on 19 under for the week, two ahead of compatriot Alexander Björk, with long-time leader Fitzpatrick eventually finishing in a tie for third with Scotland's Connor Syme after a bogey at the 18th.

The 29-year-old former U.S. Open Championship winner could at least console himself with a place on Luke Donald's Ryder Cup team after taking the last automatic spot via the World Points list, with Scotland's Robert MacIntyre guaranteeing a debut in Rome by claiming the last remaining European Points list place.

After a bogey at the first left him three off the pace, the 23-year-old rolled in a 14-footer for birdie on the fifth. A tee shot to five feet at the eighth and a delicate up-and-down on the ninth saw Aberg turn in 33, although he still had work to do to catch overnight leader Fitzpatrick at that stage.

Four successive pars on the inward nine looked to have ended his chances, but Aberg had other ideas as he cashed in on the back-to-back par-five 14th and 15th, rolled in a 15 footer on the 16th and stiffed his approach to tap-in range at the 17th.

Björk also finished strongly with three birdies in his last four holes to card a 66, while Syme signed for a 67 and Fitzpatrick a 69 featuring four birdies but also three bogeys – all of them coming in the last four holes.

Leading fourth and final round scores from the European Tour/DP World Tour European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre GC, Crans Montana, Switzerland on Sunday (GBR/IRL unless stated, Par 70):

261 - Ludvig Aaberg (SWE) 64-67-66-64

263 - Alexander Bjoerk (SWE) 65-64-68-66

264 - Matthew Fitzpatrick 63-65-67-69, Connor Syme 65-67-65-67

265 - Nicolai Hoejgaard (DEN) 65-67-66-67, Alex Fitzpatrick 65-65-68-67, Joost Luiten (NED) 66-66-68-65

266 - Erik van Rooyen (RSA) 66-69-66-65, Gavin Green (MAS) 63-69-68-66, Oliver Bekker (RSA) 71-62-66-67, Eddie Pepperell 63-70-66-67, Masahiro Kawamura (JPN) 63-70-68-65

267 - Adrian Meronk (POL) 67-64-70-66, Guido Migliozzi (ITA) 72-61-71-63, Soeren Kjeldsen (DEN) 66-71-65-65, Marcus Helligkilde (DEN 71-64-67-65, Ryo Hisatsune (JPN) 68-68-65-66, Adrien Saddier (FRA) 68-69-65-65, Renato Paratore (ITA) 67-64-68-68

Fitzpatrick takes big step towards Ryder Cup spot

Matt Fitzpatrick moved closer to securing a place on Europe's Ryder Cup team by firing a five-under-par 67 to take a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the European Masters on Friday.

The former US Open champion, who was level at the top overnight, needs only to finish tied seventh or better to qualify via the world points list for the matchplay showdown in Rome ahead of Tommy Fleetwood.

The tournament in Crans-Montana is the final qualifying event before Luke Donald names his six captain's picks on Monday.

Fitzpatrick carded six birdies and just one bogey in his second round to sit atop the leaderboard ahead of Sweden's Alexander Bjork.

His younger brother, Alex Fitzpatrick, is tied for third at 10-under alongside France's Romain Langasque.

"It's weird competing for a tournament because we never did it in juniors," said Matt Fitzpatrick.

"It's going to be a nightmare for my parents."

But Alex disagreed, saying: "Our parents would probably be happy because it would mean less walking, they can walk one round instead of two."

Donald's European side will try to regain the Ryder Cup from the United States in Italy from 29 September to 1 October.

Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy, via the European points list, have already secured places in the 12-man team, as have Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton, through the world points list.

Poland's Adrian Meronk, who could qualify automatically with a win in Switzerland, charged up the leaderboard to briefly tie the lead with Fitzpatrick.

But he slipped back, dropping three shots in his final two holes.

Scotland's Robert McIntyre, who currently holds the final qualifying place on the European points list, made the cut by a single shot.

But Victor Perez and Rasmus Hojgaard's hopes of qualification ended as the Frenchman and Dane both missed out on the weekend.

- AFP

Leading second-round scores from the European Tour's European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre GC, Crans Montana, Switzerland on Friday (GBR/IRL unless stated, Par 70):

128 - Matt Fitzpatrick 63-65

129 - Alexander Bjork (SWE) 65-64

130 - Alex Fitzpatrick 65-65, Romain Langasque (FRA) 65-65

131 - Renato Paratore (ITA) 67-64, Ludvig Aberg (SWE) 64-67, Adrian Meronk (POL) 67-64

132 - Gavin Green (MAS) 63-69, Connor Syme 65-67, Nicolai Hojgaard (DEN) 65-67, Niklas Norgaard (DEN) 68-64, Joost Luiten (NED) 66-66

133 - Jordan Smith 67-66, Sebastian Soderberg (SWE) 68-65, Simon Forsstrom (SWE) 66-67, Marcus Kinhult (SWE) 67-66, Jason Scrivener (AUS) 68-65, Hennie du Plessis (RSA) 65-68, JC Ritchie (RSA) 68-65, Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA) 67-66, Antoine Rozner (FRA) 69-64, Guido Migliozzi (ITA) 72-61, Oliver Bekker (RSA) 71-62, Eddie Pepperell 63-70, Masahiro Kawamura (JPN) 63-70

Fitzpatrick in large leading group in Switzerland

Two-time champion Matt Fitzpatrick was part of a six-way tie for the lead after a low-scoring opening day of the Omega European Masters.

The Englishman put on a brilliant display as he carded a bogey-free 63 that left him at seven under alongside countryman Eddie Pepperell, Dane John Axelsen, Spaniard Nacho Elvira, Malaysia's Gavin Green and Japanese Masahiro Kawamura.

Swede Ludvig Aberg, Scotland's Scott Jamieson and German Yannik Paul were then a shot off the lead at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, with more on the line than just the trophy this week in the final qualifying event for the European Ryder Cup team.

Fitzpatrick needs to finish tied seventh or better to qualify via the World Points List, while Paul will make the team via the European Points List with a win, although he could be heading to Rome with a tie for third with two others or better.

Axelsen, Elvira, Green and Kawamura all joined Fitzpatrick with blemish-free cards, while Pepperell made a single bogey on a course softened by rain with preferred lies in place.

Fitzpatrick missed the cut on his debut at this event in 2014 but then finished second and seventh in the next two editions before claiming the title back-to-back in 2017 and 2018.

He tied for 69th on his next trip up the mountains but was very much back to his brilliant best as he returned for the first time in four years and first time since he became a Major Champion at the 2022 U.S. Open.

"I played brilliant," he said.

"Only hit two bad shots, one I got away with and one I got up and down, so that’s as good as I’ve played for a while."

Leading first round scores in the European Tour/DP World Tour's European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre GC, Crans Montana, Switzerland on Thursday (GBR/IRL unless stated, Par 70):

63 - Matthew Fitzpatrick, Gavin Green (MAS), Eddie Pepperell, Masahiro Kawamura (JPN), Ignacio Elvira (ESP), John Axelsen (DEN)

64 - Yannik Paul (GER), Ludvig Aaberg (SWE), Scott Jamieson

65 - Adria Arnaus (ESP), Nicolai Hoejgaard (DEN), Miguel Angel Jimenez (ESP), Alex Fitzpatrick, Connor Syme, Romain Langasque (FRA), Alexander Bjoerk (SWE), Hennie Du Plessis (RSA), Kazuki Higa (JPN)

66 - Pablo Larrazabal (ESP), Simon Forsstroem (SWE), Kalle Samooja (FIN), Erik van Rooyen (RSA), Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR), Zander Lombard (RSA), Wil Besseling (NED), Soeren Kjeldsen (DEN), Matthias Schmid (GER), Victor Dubuisson (FRA), Joost Luiten (NED), Stephen Gallacher, Ricardo Santos (POR)

67 - Adrian Meronk (POL), Jorge Campillo (ESP), Jordan Smith, Calum Hill, Padraig Harrington, Marcel Schneider (GER), Marcus Kinhult (SWE), Aaron Cockerill (CAN), Daan Huizing (NED), Alexander Levy (FRA), Freddy Schott (GER), Martin Leth Simonsen (DEN), Michael Lorenzo-Vera (FRA), Renato Paratore (ITA)

- DP World Tour

Clements claims maiden title at Czech Masters

Todd Clements claimed a maiden European Tour title after a bogey-free final round of 63 gave him a one-shot triumph over Matt Wallace in the Czech Masters on Sunday.

The Englishman made three hat-tricks of birdies from the first, sixth and 11th to finish at 22-under for the tournament.

Compatriot Wallace was also bogey-free on Sunday with a closing 67.

"Given the circumstances that's got to be the best round of my life," said Clements.

"I'm over the moon. I've dreamt about winning for a long time and with my birthday coming up on Tuesday I couldn't be happier."

Nicolai Hojgaard carded a 69 to finish four shots off the lead, one clear of Robert MacIntyre.

Leading fourth and final round scores in the European Tour's Czech Masters at the Albatross Golf Resort, Prague, on Sunday (GBR/IRL unless stated, Par 72):

266 - Todd Clements 65-69-69-63

267 - Matt Wallace 70-63-67-67

270 - Nicolai Hoejgaard (DEN) 65-67-69-69

271 - Robert MacIntyre 66-73-66-66, Sami Valimaki (FIN) 63-70-67-71, Nick Bachem (GER) 70-66-67-68, Ludvig Aaberg (SWE) 68-66-71-66, Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR) 67-71-65-68, Max Schmitt (GER) 65-70-68-68

272 - Yannik Paul (GER) 66-70-69-67

273 - Victor Perez (FRA) 68-68-70-67, Thorbjoern Olesen (DEN) 70-69-65-69, Edoardo Molinari (ITA) 66-69-71-67

274 - Daniel Brown 69-71-67-67, Alex Fitzpatrick 70-67-69-68, Jiri Zuska (CZE) 71-67-67-69, Wil Besseling (NED) 67-68-67-72, Alexander Bjoerk (SWE) 65-66-75-68, Niklas Noergaard Moeller (DEN) 68-70-70-66, Freddy Schott (GER) 67-69-68-70, Ryo Hisatsune (JPN) 65-69-69-71

- AFP

McIlroy birdies last hole to win Scottish Open

Rory McIlroy sank a birdie on the last hole to seal a dramatic victory in the Scottish Open on Sunday for his first tournament win in Scotland.

The four-time major winner had seen his one-shot overnight lead evaporate on a day where 40 mph winds made scoring difficult at the Renaissance Club.

But having missed from eight feet for birdie on the par-five 16th, the Northern Irishman made no such mistake from closer range on the par-three 17th to join Scotland's Robert MacIntyre on 14 under.

McIlroy then played a stunning approach shot on the 18th before a successful 10-foot putt snatched victory from MacIntyre.

"I'm really proud," said McIlroy, who will return next week to the scene of his only British Open triumph at Hoylake in 2014 - the last of his four major titles.

"That was such a tough day, especially the back nine. To play that in four under par to win the tournament I'm really proud of how I stuck in there, hit some amazing shots down the stretch and was able to finish it off."

Victory in the 7 million Scottish Open gave McIlroy his second Rolex Series title of the year.

"It feels incredible," he added. "It's been a sort of long six months I feel since I won in Dubai. I've given myself tons of chances and hopefully, this win sort of breaks the seal for me, especially going in to next week as well."

MacIntyre had a lucky break when a wild drive on the 18th managed to find the spectator walkway. But he made the most of his good fortune with a superb approach shot that landed within four feet of the hole.

The left-hander started the final round five shots behind McIlroy but followed up on his promise to enjoy "absolutely brutal" weather, with birdies on the third and sixth holes followed by an even better eagle on the par-five 10th.

His birdie on the 14th gave MacIntyre the outright lead for the first time and he doubled his advantage on the next.

McIlroy remained in contention with a birdie on the 11th and a par save on the 12th, where the world number three thought he had missed his putt only for the ball to catch the edge of the hole and drop in.

Then, after MacIntyre bogeyed the par-five 16th, McIlroy holed from almost 40 feet on the 14th to share the lead.

MacIntyre's outstanding birdie on the 18th completed an excellent 64 and edged him back in front again.

But he was denied what would have been the biggest win of his professional career by McIlroy's fine finish over the last two holes.

Leading fourth-round scores in the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, North Berwick on Sunday (GBR/IRL unless stated, par 70):

265 - Rory McIlroy 64-66-67-68

266 - Robert MacIntyre 67-69-66-64

270 - An Byeong-Hun (KOR) 61-70-69-70, Scottie Scheffler (USA) 68-65-67-70, David Lingmerth (SWE) 66-70-66-68

271 - Tommy Fleetwood 70-66-63-72, Kim Joo-Hyung (KOR) 66-65-67-73, JT Poston (USA) 69-66-65-71, Tyrrell Hatton 69-62-71-69, Nicolai Hojgaard (SWE) 70-63-71-67

272 - Grant Forrest 69-65-70-68

273 - Brian Harman (USA) 67-65-67-74, Shane Lowry 71-64-65-73, Max Homa (USA) 66-68-67-72, Ryan Fox (NZL) 69-67-67-70, Lee Hodges (USA) 68-69-67-69, Ewen Ferguson 66-68-70-69, Jordan Smith 68-69-68-68

274 - Corey Conners (CAN) 72-65-71-66, Tom Hoge (USA) 69-66-66-73, Sam Burns (USA) 67-65-71-71, Garrick Higgo (RSA) 67-69-70-68, Nick Taylor (CAN) 68-70-65-71, Sean Crocker (USA) 69-68-67-70

- AFP

McIlroy says first win in Scotland overdue as he leads Scottish Open

Rory McIlroy said it was about time he won in Scotland for the first time as he took a narrow lead into the final round of the Scottish Open.

The Northern Irishman's 67 on Saturday kept the halfway leader out in front at the Renaissance Club on 13 under par, with South Korea's Tom Kim a shot behind and Tommy Fleetwood and Brian Harman another stroke further back.

World number one Scottie Scheffler and former British Open champion Shane Lowry are in a five-way tie for fifth on 10 under.

Tee times were brought forward several hours on Sunday in a bid to counter winds forecasted to be up to 40 mph.

The 34-year-old McIlroy, who will return next week to the scene of his only British Open triumph at Hoylake in 2014 - the last of his four major wins - made a fine start on Saturday by going through the first 10 holes in four under.

But he covered the last eight in one over as the top 17 players ended the day separated by just five shots.

"I felt like I played really good golf for those first 11 holes and made that first bogey on 12 and it was a little scrappy coming in from there," McIlroy said.

"But overall another solid day's play and (I) put myself into a great position going into the final day.

"There's a lot of great players behind me but it's going to be difficult for everyone. When the wind gets like that there's a lot of skill involved but it's also just attitude and trying to stay upbeat when you're probably going to get bad breaks here and there.

"The guy with the best attitude is going to have the best chance."

McIlroy, asked about the prospect of winning on Scottish soil for the first time, replied: "It would be great. I've had a lot of close calls in Opens and Dunhill Links and all sorts of stuff, but it would be fantastic.

"I remember playing my first Scottish Open at Loch Lomond in 2005. It's nice to reminisce and I've come a long way since then, but 18 years is too long for me to not pick up a trophy in this country."

Fleetwood posted a fine round of 63 on Saturday, matching his impressive closing score at the US Open, thanks to eight birdies and a lone bogey in North Berwick, where he finished fourth last year and lost out in a play-off in 2020. - AFP

McIlroy ready for anything after going into Scottish Open lead

Rory McIlroy said he was prepared to take on the elements as well as the rest of the field after establishing a narrow lead at the halfway stage of the Scottish Open on Friday.

The Northern Irishman added a second round of 66 to his opening 64 at the Renaissance Club to be 10 under par, a shot ahead of his Ryder Cup team-mate Tyrrell Hatton and South Korea's Tom Kim.

It was another encouraging display by the 34-year-old McIlroy, who will return next week to the scene of his only British Open triumph at Hoylake in 2014 -- the last of his four major wins.

Friday's round meant that for the fifth time in his PGA Tour career -- the event is co-sanctioned with the DP World (European) Tour -- McIlroy has started a tournament with two scores of 66 or better.

Four of those previous occasions led to three tournament wins, including his British Open success of nine years ago.

"I hit the ball really well tee to green, gave myself a ton of looks (at birdie)," McIlroy said.

"Honestly it felt like four under was probably the worst I could have shot out there.

"But you know, it's swings and roundabouts. I holed a couple of long ones on Thursday to shoot a good score and then missed a couple today, but overall really pleased with how the last two days have went."

With thunderstorms forecast for Saturday afternoon, tee times have been brought forward by several hours, while winds of up to 40 mph are predicted to hit the course on Sunday.

"I don't really have any expectations," McIlroy said. "It would be silly of me to try to pick a potential target score to get to.

"So really just embrace the conditions and just sort of make the best of them."

As for the British Open, he added: "I keep saying that yes, we are all looking forward to next week, but I want to go and win this tournament over the weekend."

Earlier, Hatton gave himself a chance of a first victory in two-and-a-half years with a second round of 62.

Hatton, asked if the round had been as easy as it looked, replied: "No, it was stressful at times, as most of my rounds are.

"But very happy with the chances I gave myself."

World number one Scottie Scheffler and three-time major winner Padraig Harrington are three shots off the lead after rounds of 65 and 66 respectively, with Harrington overcoming wet and windy conditions in the first group out at 0615 GMT.

"I hit a great drive off my first hole of the day, 80 yards short of where I hit it yesterday," Harrington, 51, said.

"The marshals were a full 50 yards away from where they should have been for the first three, four holes because they had no idea how short the ball was going," the Irishman added.

Leading second-round scores in the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, North Berwick on Friday (GBR/IRL unless noted, par 70):

130 - Rory McIlroy 64-66

131 - An Byeong-Hun (KOR) 61-70, Tyrrell Hatton 69-62, Kim Joo-Hyung (KOR) 66-65

132 - Sam Burns 67-65, Brian Harman 67-65

133 - Padraig Harrington 67-66, Nicolai Hoejgaard (DEN) 70-63, Scottie Scheffler (USA) 68-65

134 - Ewen Ferguson 66-68, Grant Forrest 69-65, Rickie Fowler (USA) 67-67, Daniel Hillier (NZL) 68-66, Max Homa (USA) 66-68, Marcel Schneider (GER) 69-65, Sebastian Soederberg (SWE) 67-67

135 - Wyndham Clark (USA) 68-67, Will Gordon (USA) 66-69, Gavin Green (MAL) 69-66, Harry Hall 71-64, Tom Hoge (USA) 69-66, Joakim Lagergren (SWE) 69-66, Romain Langasque (FRA) 70-65, Lee Kyoung-Hoon (KOR) 65-70, Shane Lowry 71-64, Thorbjoern Olesen (DEN) 67-68, JT Poston (USA) 69-66, Erik van Rooyen (RSA) 72-63

- AFP

Scottish open underway as McIlroy would 'retire' before joining LIV Golf 

Rory McIlroy has said he would retire before joining the breakaway LIV Golf tour after it emerged he had been offered a franchise in the Saudi-backed project.

A US Senate sub-committee met on Tuesday to investigate a proposed merger between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund that ended a legal battle between the tours following LIV's launch.

Documents from the hearing showed that as well as being offered franchises, Tiger Woods and McIlroy would play in 10 LIV events had they agreed to sign up.

"If LIV Golf was the last place to play golf on earth, I would retire," said McIlroy, after his six under par first round at the Scottish Open on Thursday.

"That's how I feel about it. I would play the majors, but I'd be pretty comfortable."

A number of leading players who remained loyal to the PGA Tour have been critical of PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan for the lack of information they were given prior to the signing of a framework agreement.

McIlroy has been an outspoken defender of the PGA Tour and again refused to criticise Monahan, who will return to work on July 17 after a month away due to a medical issue

."I've read a quote that they (the PGA Tour) were negotiating their survival. That's a very fair thing for a business to do," added McIlroy.

"I'm just apathetic towards all the noise around it. The thing I've realised, no matter what I do or say, or try to show leadership, I'm going to be just fine.

"I've tried to step up for maybe the guys that didn't have a voice early on, but I think with everything that's transpired over the last few weeks, the players are going to find themselves more and more at the table to try to get whatever it is that they want out of it."

On the course, McIlroy shot an eagle and six birdies as his round of opening 64 left him three shots off the lead.

South Korea's An Byeong-hun recorded a flawless 61 that equalled the course record at the Renaissance Club.

American Davis Riley is second on seven under.

"It's a really good start," McIlroy said.

"I've not had particularly great results around this course the last couple of times but I feel like my game is definitely in better shape now.

"I feel like I'm coming in here playing really good golf, producing good results and getting myself in contention and I'm just really trying to do the same things and adapt to the different conditions we're going to face over the next couple of weeks."

An had an even better day as he picked up nine birdies in a bogey-free round.

"I couldn't play any better," said the world number 131, who could secure himself a place at Hoylake by finishing in the top three players not to have already qualified.

"I drove it well, chipped it well, putted well."

Belgium's Thomas Detry joined McIlroy in the clubhouse on six under.

World number one Scottie Scheffler is back at two under.

Leading first round scores on Thursday in the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, North Berwick (GBR/IRL unless noted, par-70):

61 - An Byeong-Hun (KOR)

63 - Davis Riley (USA)

64 - Thomas Detry (BEL), Rory McIlroy

65 - Yannik Paul (GER), Lee Kyung-Hoon (KOR)

66 - Joohyung Kim (KOR), Oliver Bekker (RSA), Max Homa (USA), Will Gordon (USA), David Lingmerth (SWE), Julien Brun (FRA), Ewen Ferguson

67 - Robert MacIntyre, Eric Cole (USA), Sami Vlimki (FIN), Padraig Harrington, Thorbjoern Olesen (DEN), Sebastian Sderberg (SWE), Brian Harman (USA), Rickie Fowler (USA), Sam Burns (USA), Thriston Lawrence (RSA), Garrick Higgo (RSA)

- AFP

Danish delight as Hojgaard wins Himmerland play-off

Rasmus Hojgaard overturned a six-stroke deficit Sunday and beat Nacho Elvira in a play-off to become the first Danish winner of the Made in Himmerland event.

Hojgaard stormed up the leaderboard with a final round of 64 that included seven birdies and one bogey, reeling in Elvira after the Spaniard shot an even-par 70.

Richie Ramsay's hopes of victory evaporated with a disastrous double bogey on the 18th hole, the Scot ending a shot back of Hojgaard and Elvira who needed six extra holes to determine the winner.

Elvira blinked first as he hit a shot out of bounds to effectively give the 22-year-old Hojgaard the title, his fourth on the European Tour.

"I'm speechless at the moment," said Hojgaard, who strengthened his case for a Ryder Cup spot.

"To be fair, I didn't think I'd end up in a play-off - it's quite amazing. To win a home event, it's amazing.

"This is better than I could ever dream of," he added.

"We've wanted a Danish winner for so long now, so to be the first one to do it is amazing."

- AFP

Leaderboard:

267 - Rasmus Hojgaard (DEN) 68 70 65 64, Ignacio Elvira (ESP) 69 62 66 70 (Hojgaard won at the sixth play-off hole)

268 - Richie Ramsay 70 64 65 69

269 - Robert MacIntyre 64 68 66 71, Kalle Samooja (FIN) 72 66 64 67, Alexander Bjork (SWE) 71 68 63 67, Marc Warren 70 64 67 68

270 - Ross Fisher 66 67 71 66, Ryo Hisatsune (JPN) 69 68 67 66

First-round leader Robert MacIntyre was joined by Marc Warren and Richie Ramsay in a Scottish takeover of the top five of the 2023 Made in HimmerLand day two leaderboard.

While Spain’s Nacho Elvira surged to the summit with an almost flawless 62 to reach nine under par, MacIntyre was just one shot back after following up his opening 64 with a two-under-par 68.

Warren and Ramsay both shot 64 on an easier second day of scoring in Farsø to sit at six under, one behind England's Ross Fisher.

Starting on the back nine, MacIntyre kept up his momentum from Thursday – when he gained five shots in seven holes – by birdieing the 14th, 15th and 17th for the second day in succession.

He came back in 36 after a bogey at the seventh but said: “It was solid. Really good opening nine. The putter just went a wee bit cold on the back nine but, all-in-all, it was solid after yesterday’s round to come out and shoot a reasonable number.

“I don’t think the wind is going to be as strong tomorrow, not sure about Sunday but just got to keep doing the same stuff.

“Driving it well, iron play is good, and I’m rolling it nicely so try and warm the putter back up and let them have it.”

Warren won this tournament in 2014 and said: “Good memories, feelgood factor, always helps.

“Some of the signage up around the place, you see the year you’ve won, there are a few plaques around the place so it’s really nice. It’s been mentioned a few times this week so that always brings back good memories.”

His round was sparked into life immediately by birdies at the first four holes and he added: “It was nice getting out in a bit of sunshine this morning. Less wind after the battle yesterday afternoon, so it was nice to take advantage of the better conditions this morning. Got off to a really hot start.

“Got the usual kind of comments yesterday: ‘Scottish, you’ll be used to this,’ and all of that but, to be honest, speaking for myself, I don’t think there are many more fair weather golfers than me. Conditions like that, you just have to grit your teeth and get on with it.”

- DP World Tour

Robert MacIntyre took a two-stroke first-round lead at the 2023 Made in HimmerLand with an impressive round of 64.

The Scot fired five birdies in seven holes on the back nine to reach six under par and surpass the early clubhouse leader Ross Fisher, who made 66 in the morning wind and rain on a tough day of scoring in Farsø in northern Denmark.

MacIntyre got up and running with a birdie at the second and another courtesy of a superb approach to the fifth.

He alternated bogeys and birdies around the turn, dropping shots at the eighth and tenth but birdieing the ninth and 11th, the latter after a long bobbling putt from off the green, before holing from 32 feet at the 12th.

He hit the front with another pair of back-to-back birdies thanks to a good up-and-down from beside the 14th green and a long putt at the next.

Another from seven feet at the 17th took him two clear and he said: "I'm in a good mindset just now, I just pitched up here refreshed and with a good attitude.

“It was really tough today. When I was sat in my room this morning, I was quite glad that I wasn't out there. It got a little bit nicer. Obviously, the breeze was really strong, but at least we didn't have any rain.

"It was just a mental battle out there and just had to stay positive. The dropped shots were going to happen and just had to take the chances when they came and thankfully I did that. Bit of luck here and there.

"I've been working hard on the my game the last three weeks, I've chopped and changed. There's been a lot of changes and I've kind of gone back to what I know I'm good at. I've stayed positive and I knew my game was there, just had to drive the ball a little bit better this week.

“Probably on 12 was my best moment when I hit the putt slightly too firm and it was right in the middle of the hole the whole way but I was just praying it didn't bump offline."

Hillier makes European Tour breakthrough at British Masters

New Zealand's Daniel Hillier produced a stunning finish to win his first DP World Tour event at the British Masters on Sunday.

Hillier carded two eagles either side of a birdie between the 15th and 17th to finish on 10 under par and take the title by two shots from England's Oliver Wilson and American Gunner Wiebe.

"I'm a bit lost for words," said Hillier. "Something hit a switch, or I don't know what happened, but those last few holes will take a while to process."

All of the top three also secured their places in next month's Open Championship.

Wiebe, the world number 1 349, who had made just one cut this season before arriving at the Belfry, carded his own 66 that featured eagle, seven birdies and a triple bogey.

The American, 34, has had to battle back from a career-threatening injury when a pane of glass sliced open his arm and worked as an Uber driver during five outside of the professional game.

"For me it's a dream come true to even be in the position to play again, I never thought I would," said Wiebe, who will follow in the footsteps of his father Mark Wiebe in playing the British Open at Hoylake.

Former world number one Justin Rose finished in a share of fourth alongside Scotsmen Ewen Ferguson and Calum Hill.

- AFP

Leading fourth round scores on Sunday in the British Masters at The Belfry, England (GBR/IRL unless noted, par-72):

278 - Daniel Hillier (NZL) 72-71-69-66 

280 - Gunner Wiebe (USA) 73-71-70-66, Oliver Wilson 69-70-70-71

281 - Justin Rose 65-73-74-69, Ewen Ferguson 69-71-73-68, Calum Hill 69-74-69-69

282 - Niklas Nœrgaard Moeller (DEN) 70-69-70-73 

283 - Jeff Winther (DEN) 72-72-71-68, Romain Langasque (FRA) 71-70-70-72, Yannik Paul (GER) 68-71-74-70, Gavin Kyle Green (MAS) 69-74-69-71, Joost Luiten (NED) 69-72-68-74, Dan Bradbury 75-67-70-71, Alexander Björk (SWE) 70-71-73-69 

Sullivan surges into share of British Masters lead

England's Andy Sullivan said he needed "a little beer" to calm his nerves after birdies at the final two holes gave him a share of the lead heading into the final round of the British Masters.

Sullivan is joined by fellow Englishmen James Morrison and Oliver Wilson, Joost Luiten, Guido Migliozzi and Niklas Norgaard on seven under par.

There are 10 players within two shots of the lead with Maximilian Kieffer on six under and Romain Langasque, Bryce Easton and Justin Walters one shot further back.

Sullivan is the local favourite as he hails from Nuneaton, just a half hour's drive from The Belfry course in England's Midlands.

After a mixed round that included two birdies and two bogeys on the opening 16 holes, he nailed two putts for a round of 70.

"I'm absolutely buzzing," said Sullivan.

"I can't wait. I'm not going to lie, I'll probably go have a little beer right now to calm down because literally, the nerves on the last when the putt was going down, I was thinking, this could be three-putt."It's amazing. It's been so nice to see so many friendly faces out there. I'm going to enjoy it.

"I didn't get anything going all day, very steady, very solid, and then last couple of holes was sweet to finish like that."

Former world number one Justin Rose began the day in a share of the lead but slipped three shots back after a 74. - AFP

Rose fights back to share British Masters lead

Justin Rose battled back from a poor start to his second round to grab a share of the lead at the halfway stage of the British Masters at The Belfry on Friday.

The former world number one started the day with a one-shot lead and added a one-over-par 73 to his opening 65 to sit tied with Frenchman Antoine Rozner.

Rose, the highest-ranked player in the field at 31st, was four over for the day through 11 holes but carded four birdies in his final eight holes to stay atop the leaderboard.

"If I had gone and shot 76 today, I'd have walked off and been quite bewildered because I did not play that badly but the score had slipped away from me after 10 holes and that is what it is," said 42-year-old Englishman Rose, who won the British Masters in 2002.

"Didn't appreciate that I would still be leading the golf tournament but through 36 holes I'm in a great spot."

Rose, the 2013 US Open champion, is bidding to win his 12th European Tour title but his first since the 2018 Turkish Open.

Rozner rolled in four birdies in a four-under 68 after opening with a round of 70.

There are seven players tied for third one stroke behind in a tightly-packed field, with Japan's Ryo Hisatsune and Robert MacIntyre a shot further back.

-AFP

Justin Rose sets pace at British Masters

Justin Rose justified his billing as pre-tournament favourite by setting the pace on day one of the British Masters at The Belfry on Thursday.

The English world number 31, the top-ranked player in the field, carded eight birdies and a solitary bogey to record a seven-under-par 65 and enjoy a one-shot lead over former Ryder Cup team-mate Jamie Donaldson.

Welshman Donaldson birdied five of the last six holes in his 66, with Germany's Yannik Paul, English pair John Gough and James Morrison, Spain's Sebastian Garcia and Frenchman Adrien Saddier all on four under.

"I felt very comfortable with my game from the first shot," said former US Open champion Rose, 42, who won the British Masters in 2002.

"I hit a beautiful little wedge into the 10th hole, made a nice birdie there and I think that's the cleanest round of golf I've played in a long, long time."

Donaldson was just one under par after 12 holes of his round before picking up shots on the 13th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th.

"Nothing was going in, it was all a bit slow at the start and suddenly it all kicked in on the back nine," the 47-year-old said.

"Five in six holes to finish, so yeah, fantastic."

Defending champion Thorbjorn Olesen is five shots off the lead after an opening round of 70.

- AFP

Hillier hits the summit in Munich, SA's Schaper 4th

Daniel Hillier posted a sublime five under-par round of 67 to grasp the 36-hole lead at the BMW International Open.

The Kiwi carded a blemish-free second round to reach nine under par and set the pace at the top of the leaderboard, one shot clear of Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, who is making his DP World Tour debut this week.

Hillier, who graduated from the European Challenge Tour last year, made the turn at two under par after teeing off the tenth but caught fire as he headed for home, reeling off a trio of birdies from the sixth to set what proved to be an unassailable target.

Neergaard-Petersen graduated from Oklahoma State University last month and is impressing after receiving a late invitation to this week's event at Golfclub München Eichenried.

The 23-year-old lies second after posting a round of 67, one stroke clear of Joost Luiten, from the Netherlands.

The Dutchman, who has made his last ten consecutive cuts, made the seventh hole-in-one of his career on his way to posting a six under par 66, the low round of the day.

Marc Hammer and Marcel Schneider are the leading German players after round two, sharing fourth place alongside South Africa's Jayden Schaper, Frenchman Adrien Saddier and Finn Sami Välimäki on six under par.

The tournament's Eagles for Education initiative continued on day two in Munich, with 19 eagles resulting in another €19,000 being added to the running total, which currently stands at €41,000.

- DP World Tour

England's Dale Whitnell held off a late challenge from American Sean Crocker to claim his maiden DP World European Tour win at the Scandinavian Mixed event in Stockholm on Sunday.

Whitnell was handily placed after a closing 96-yard hole-out eagle on day one.

He kept up that momentum with a second-round 61 to leave him six shots clear at the halfway stage.

He took a four shot lead into the final round and that advantage was cut to two with two to play on Sunday as Crocker signed for a closing 65.

But a birdie at the 17th helped ease Whitnell's nerves and he closed with a par 70 and a three-shot win at 21 under.

"It feels awesome," said Whitnell.

"It's been a long road for me, I've got so many people to thank, my fiancee, my coach, my mum and dad ... this means everything to me" added the 34-year-old.

A former top amateur in England he turned professional in 2009.

He came through qualifying to tie for 60th in the 2012 British Open and his best result up to Sunday was fourth in three European Tour events.

The Netherland's Anne van Dam was the leading woman in Stockholm after a final 69 gave her a 273-par total and a share of third with German Yannik Paul, six shots off the winner who said: "It was great playing with the women". -AFP

Paul, Nørgaard set record-breaking pace in Sweden, SA's De Jager one back

Niklas Nørgaard and Yannik Paul took advantage of the early conditions to card a pair of course-record 65s and lead the way by one shot after day one of the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed.

The stunning Ullna Golf and Country Club is playing host to the DP World Tour for the first time as the innovative event - co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour - returns for its third edition.

A field of 78 men and 78 women are playing in the same groups for one prize fund and one trophy, with Linn Grant having made history as the first female winner of a DP World Tour event with a brilliant nine-shot victory 12 months ago.

It was the men who had the better of it early in 2023 but Thailand's Trichat Cheenglab was in the group one shot off the lead at six under alongside South African Louis de Jager, Frenchman Frederic Lacroix and England's Dale Whitnell.

With the wind always likely to increase at the lakeside venue as the day went on, Paul was the first player to take advantage of an early tee time, coming home in 30 after starting on the tenth to set the target at seven under.

Nørgaard's first shot of the week was his opening tee-shot after he injured his back water-skiing on Monday but the big-hitting Dane showed no signs of discomfort as a birdie-birdie finish saw him join Paul at the top of the leaderboard.

The German is enjoying an excellent season after claiming his maiden win on Mallorca in 2022, securing two runner-up finishes and sitting fifth on the European Points List for the Ryder Cup.

And despite picking up five shots in the second half of his round after starting on the tenth, he acknowledged the course got trickier as the day went on.

Cheenglab produced the low-round of the afternoon, with a birdie-birdie finish taking her tally to seven for the day and leaving her a shot ahead of Spaniard Angel Hidalgo, Dane Søren Kjeldsen, German Nicolai von Dellingshausen and South African Justin Walters.

- DP World Tour 

Northern Irish youngster McKibbin wins European Open

Tom McKibbin became the youngest Northern Irishman to win a European Tour event since Rory McIlroy with a two-shot victory at the European Open on Sunday.

The 20-year-old birdied the final hole to card a three-under-par 70 for a nine-under total in Hamburg.McKibbin, the world number 335, finished two strokes clear of France's Julien Guerrier and German pair Marcel Siem and Maximilian Kieffer.

"It probably won't sink in until tomorrow," said McKibbin.

"To have my dad here -- he comes most weeks -- is pretty special.

"To win in front of him is pretty amazing."

He grew up playing at the same Holywood golf club where four-time major champion McIlroy learned his trade.McIlroy was 19 when he won his first Tour title at the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic.

Final-round scores from the European Tour's European Open in Hamburg on Sunday (par 72/GBR & IRL unless stated):

283 - Tom McKibbin 72-69-72-70

285 - Julien Guerrier (FRA) 72-74-67-72, Marcel Siem (GER) 71-73-70-71, Maximilian Kieffer (GER) 69-71-75-70

287 - Frederic Lacroix (FRA) 73-73-71-70

288 - Alexander Bjork (SWE) 72-72-69-75, John Axelsen (DEN) 77-67-69-75, Jordan Smith 70-71-72-75, David Law 75-66-72-75

290 - Paul Waring 71-72-72-75, Connor Syme 73-77-69-71, Ricardo Gouveia (POR) 76-73-70-71, Romain Langasque (FRA) 73-75-74-68

-AFP

Thrilling finale in store as six share lead in Hamburg

Six players share the lead on six under par going into the final round of the Porsche European Open, with Julien Guerrier moving into a share of first place with a Saturday 67.

The Frenchman started the day level par, but carded eight birdies on the Porsche Nord Course at Green Eagle Golf Courses in Hamburg as he set the clubhouse target of six under.

Guerrier is one of three players in a share of the lead seeking their maiden DP World Tour victories, with John Axelsen, who earned his card at Qualifying School, and Challenge Tour graduate Tom McKibbin also on six under.

Axelsen, making just his 20th start on Tour, was a member of the victorious Danish side at the 2018 Eisenhower Trophy alongside Højgaard twins Nicolai and Rasmus - who have won five DP World Tour titles between them since 2019.

Also in a share of the lead are 2017 Porsche European Open winner Jordan Smith, of England, Sweden's Alexander Björk and Scotland's David Law.

Smith will be bidding for a third DP World Tour title tomorrow, with Björk and Law both hoping to secure their second victories.

Marcel Siem leads the home charge with the aim of becoming the first German winner on home soil in 15 years.

The 42-year-old, who is just one stroke back from the leaders on five under, won his fifth DP World Tour title at the Indian Open in February, bridging an eight-and-a-half-year gap since his last victory.

- DP World Tour

Kieffer leads at midway point of Porsche European Open

Maximilian Kieffer continued to shine on home soil as he fired a second-round 71 to lead by one shot at the halfway stage of the 2023 Porsche European Open.

German Kieffer began the day with a share of the lead after opening with a four-under-par 69, and briefly reached eight under par courtesy of four front-nine birdies on Friday morning.

He then produced a stunning par save to remain there before a late double bogey saw him head into the weekend on six under, one stroke ahead of the chasing pack.

Scot David Law, England's Jordan Smith and Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin were in a tie for second on five under.

Starting from the tenth tee, Law got off to a lightning-quick start, carding an eagle and six birdies on his front nine to turn in 30.

Two more birdies and three bogeys followed on his homeward nine as the 32-year-old signed for a 66 - the lowest round of the week so far.

Smith - who won this event in 2017 - made three birdies and a solitary bogey in his second-round 71, while McKibbin finished his 69 with a birdie after finding the 18th green in two.

Overnight co-leader Kieffer started his second round at the tenth tee and opened with a close-range birdie before making back-to-back gains on the 14th and 15th.A successful seven-foot birdie effort on the 18th green took Kieffer to the turn in 34 blows and saw him reach eight under.

After missing the green on the short fifth, Kieffer managed to get up and down for par courtesy of a sensational 12-foot putt from the fringe.

Having kept his card clean for 16 holes, Kieffer dunked his tee-shot at the par-three eighth into the water and went on to make a double bogey before closing with a par.

-DP World Tour

Kieffer and Forsström share lead in Hamburg

Maximilian Kieffer produced front-nine fireworks in front of his home crowd as he began the 2023 Porsche European Open with a 69 to share the first-round lead with Simon Forsström.

The 32-year-old German star went birdie-eagle from the third hole at Green Eagle Golf Courses after draining successive monster putts from around 50 feet.

And after dropping a shot at the short fifth, he chipped in for a bounce-back birdie on the sixth before making three more birdies and two bogeys over the remaining 12 holes to reach four under par.

The only other player to break 70 in Thursday's first round was Swede Forsström, who made five birdies and a single bogey to join Kieffer at the summit.

Dutchman Joost Luiten was among the group another shot back after finishing his round with a hat-trick of birdies at the seventh, eighth and ninth.

Norway's Kristian Krogh Johannessen later closed his first-round 70 with four successive birdies on the other side of the course to join Luiten, Dane Marcus Helligkilde and Englishman Jordan Smith in a tie for third.

Germany's Freddy Schott briefly took over at the top following a run of five birdies in six holes on his back nine but had to settle for a 71 after carding a late triple bogey, leaving him alongside countryman Jannik de Bruyn on two under after his hole-in-one at the short second.

After starting with back-to-back pars, Kieffer's round burst into life at the third when he converted his 53-foot birdie putt to send the crowd wild.

He then repeated the trick from 49 feet with his eagle try on the fourth hole to reach three under par.

Kieffer recovered from a dropped shot on the fifth with a sensational chip-in birdie at the sixth before taking advantage of the long ninth to lead on his own.

- DP World Tour

Late Larrazabal birdie blitz seals Dutch Open win, SA's Germishuys 3rd

Spain's Pablo Larrazabal produced a late birdie blitz to win his second title in four weeks at the Dutch Open on Sunday.

Larrazabal, 40, pulled off a big finish for a two-shot victory and a ninth European Tour title at Bernardus Golf, after also winning the Korea Championship in April.

Overnight leader Larrazabal recovered from a poor start to the final round with a series of birdies to sit in a five-way tie at the top after 12 holes.

And he finished with birdies on the 15th, 17th and 18th for a closing round of 69 and a 13 under par finish.

Fellow Spaniard Adrian Otaegui was second on 11 under after sealing his final-round 70 with a birdie.

Dane Rasmus Hojgaard and South African Deon Germishuys were in a tie for third, one stroke further back.

"It doesn't matter how fast you run at the beginning, you have to run fast at the end to win the race," said Larrazabal.

"And that's what I did. What a putt on the last. I tried to make two putts from 20 feet and suddenly I made it.

"I'm so proud of myself and so proud of my team. We struggled big time through Covid but here we are - four wins in the last 15 months. It means too much to me."

Larrazabal hopes to follow fellow Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez who won 13 European Tour titles in his 40s.

"Hopefully I do 20 per cent of what Miguel did in his forties. This is the first win of 40." - AFP

Campillo retains control on tough day at KLM Open

Jorge Campillo displayed a battling performance to post a one under par round of 71 and take a two-stroke lead into the weekend at the KLM Open.

The Spaniard moved to ten under par but saw his lead cut from three to two as scoring conditions became tougher with the wind swirling and the sun beating down on Bernardus Golf.

However, he kept moving in the right direction and withstood the pressure applied by Italy's Renato Paratore, who carded a second successive 68.

Campillo's sublime opening 63 laid the groundwork for day two and after making the turn at level par, added a single birdie on the back nine to claim the 36-hole lead for the fifth time in his DP World Tour career.

Italian Paratore is the 36-year-old's nearest challenger on eight under par after he reeled off a trio of birdies to finish his second round.

The two-time DP World Tour winner lost his full playing privileges last year and is without a win since his triumph at the 2020 British Masters, but is well-positioned heading into the weekend at the Netherlands' national open.

Kiwi Daniel Hillier's five under par 67 was the joint low round of the day and was enough to move him into third place on seven under par, while Spanish duo Alejandro del Rey and Adrian Otaegui, England's Marcus Armitage and Swede Marcus Kinhult share fourth place on six under.

Joost Luiten continues to fly the Dutch flag for the home contingent, posting a level par 72 to join the group of nine players on five under.

- DP World Tour

Forsstrom wins maiden title by one shot

Sweden's Simon Forsstrom overcame late nerves to capture a maiden DP World Tour title with a one-shot victory over compatriot Jens Dantorp at the Soudal Open on Sunday.

The 34-year-old built up a three-shot lead by the turn before a double bogey at the 10th was followed by another dropped shot on the 12th.

However, he recovered with birdie putts at the 14th, 16th and 17th to take a one-shot lead down the last.He then parred the 18th to sign for a closing 69 and 17 under par for the tournament.

Dantorp finished alone in second on 16 under following his closing 67 with Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen two shots further back in third.

"I think the course suits me very well, it's pretty tight and short," said Forsstrom.

"I won on the Challenge Tour in Belgium. It's pretty similar to Sweden, the trees and the grass, so I think I feel very at home here.

"I hope to keep proving myself, this wasn't one time."

- AFP

Leading final scores in the DP World Tour (European Tour) Soudal Open at Rinkven International GC in Antwerp, Belgium, on Sunday (GBR/IRL unless stated, Par 71):

267 - Simon Forsstrom (SWE) 64-67-67-69

268 - Jens Dantorp (SWE) 65-69-67-67

270 - Thorbjoern Olesen (DEN) 68-67-69-66

271 - Matthew Southgate 69-70-64-68, Alexander Bjoerk (SWE) 66-69-69-67, Michael Lorenzo-Vera (FRA) 68-70-64-69

272 - Richie Ramsay 68-68-66-70, Thomas Detry (BEL) 67-66-66-73, James Morrison 65-69-70-68

273 - Daniel Bradbury 69-70-66-68, Aaron Cockerill (CAN) 70-70-66-67, Kim Yeong-Su (KOR) 72-64-67-70, Ryo Hisatsune (JPN) 66-71-67-69, Andrew Wilson 65-71-66-71

Simon Forsström leads in Belgium

Simon Forsström remained in charge of the 2023 Soudal Open after holding off the challenge of home favourite Thomas Detry in round three.

Swede Forsström fired a flawless, four-under-par 67 to reach 15 under and sit one ahead of Belgian Detry, who shot a 66.

It was tight at the top throughout the day with Jens Dantorp sharing the lead for much of it. He is in a tie for third with Julien Brun while Mike Lorenzo-Vera, Richie Ramsay and Andrew Wilson are one shot further back.

Detry had been two behind at the start of the day and a poor tee-shot to the second threatened to derail him but he saved par from 20 feet after dipping a sockless foot into the hazard to play his second.

That settled any nerves and he got going after taking advantage of the par-five fifth for his first birdie of the day before making it two in a row when he rolled in a tricky downhill putt from 11 feet at the sixth.

He gave himself a good look for another gain at the seventh but the putt slipped by and Detry remained in a five-strong group at 11 under par.

Up ahead, Dantorp, who had birdied the first and the fifth, was the first to hit 12 under, smashing his tee-shot at the short par-four eighth in close and sinking the putt for eagle.

Detry soon joined him when he played the eighth, taking two putts from the back of the green for birdie.

Forsström, the overnight leader, joined the party when he reached the eighth and walked off with his first birdie of the day.

Detry missed birdie putts at the 10th and 11th and his patience was tested even more when the hooter sounded due to a threat of lightning when he was on the 12th, where an even shorter birdie attempt stayed out.

The players were off the course for more than 90 minutes and it was Forsström who got his nose back in front after the restart, rolling in a birdie at the 13th.

But Detry replied straight away, spinning his approach to the 14th to four feet and making no mistake with the putter.

Dantorp made it a three-way tie again when he reached 13 under with a birdie at the 16th but Detry's drive to the same hole landed just short of the green and he took two with the putter to hit 14 under.

Forsström refused to go away though and walked off 16 with a birdie of his own and they were two ahead when Dantorp scrapped his way to a bogey at the 17th after a poor drive.

Detry's tee shot at the penultimate hole, off to the left, put him in trouble too but he kept his card clean with a classy up-and-down.He was playing catch-up once more though when Forsström holed a birdie putt from just off the front of the 17th.

Meronk wins in Rome after thrilling finale

Adrian Meronk held his nerve in a breathless back-nine battle to win the Italian Open.  

The Pole kept his composure to hold off French duo Romain Langasque and Julien Guerrier at Marco Simone Golf & Country club to win by one shot and moves to fourth in the Race to Dubai Rankings.

Meronk, who holed the winning putt at the Hero Cup in January, lifted his third DP World Tour title and boosted the 29-year-old's hopes of qualifying for the Ryder Cup, which will take place at this course later this year in September.  

Meronk and Langasque duelled on the back nine, while overnight leader Guerrier kept in touch with them in a thrilling finale.

The Pole edged ahead on the 16th hole with his fifth birdie of the day and holed a par putt from the edge of the green on the 17th.  

Langasque's challenge had appeared to have faltered with a bogey on the 16th, but he stunningly chipped in for a birdie on the penultimate hole to keep the pressure on.  

But the Pole would not falter as he birdied the 18th to sign for a 69 and finish one shot clear of Langasque, with Guerrier a further two back.

- DP World Tour

Pavon maintains lead as SA's Lawrence hits ace

Matthieu Pavon remains the man to catch at the halfway stage of the Italian Open after finishing his second round with a monster birdie putt to take a two-shot lead into the weekend.

The Frenchman began the day two shots clear at the top of the leaderboard after posting his lowest-ever DP World Tour round on Thursday, but found scoring somewhat trickier on Friday despite making a lightning-quick start.

Beginning at the tenth tee, Pavon made a hat-trick of birdies on the 11th, 12th and 13th but carded three bogeys - on the 14th, 17th and eighth - before getting his next birdie at the ninth.

His closing gain was worth the wait, though, as the 30-year-old curled in his 57-foot effort to reach nine under par.

None of the afternoon starters were able to match Pavon's midway total, with his countryman Julien Guerrier and Adrian Otaegui his nearest challengers on seven under.

Guerrier made five birdies and three bogeys in his 69, while Otaegui notched an eagle, five birdies and three bogeys as he signed for a 67.

The crowds at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club were treated to two aces on Friday, with Thriston Lawrence winning a brand new DS 4 car at the seventh, and Shubhankar Sharma making a hole-in-one on the par-three 17th.

- DP World Tour

Pavon achieves personal milestone to lead in Rome

Matthieu Pavon fired the lowest round of his DP World Tour career on Thursday as a stunning 63 saw him open up a two-shot lead at the Italian Open.

The Frenchman opened with a sensational round, carding nine birdies and a single bogey to reach eight under par.

Pavon turned in 29 after reeling off six birdies on the front nine before adding three more gains and one bogey down the stretch.

"Nothing bad to say about today. I was really, really solid off the tee, probably only missed two fairways today - and every time it was by a few inches," said Pavon.

"The putting was amazing also. I dropped a lot of putts. I think I probably made nine putts on my front nine, which is quite funny. Everything was just excellent today.

"I was not really sure about a low, low score like this. I knew I could do great, but that great (63), I'm a bit surprised."

Maximilian Kieffer was alone in second on six under after making an eagle, five birdies and one bogey in his 65.

- DP World Tour

Pablo Larrazábal emerges victorious after thrilling final round in South Korea

Pablo Larrazábal won the 2023 Korea Championship by two shots after producing a back-nine birdie blitz to see off a high-quality chasing pack.

A tight battle unfolded at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea on Sunday afternoon, with Larrazábal finding himself in a five-way share of the lead on nine under when he reached the turn following two front-nine birdies.

The Spaniard slipped from the summit after dropping his first shot of the round at the tenth but roared back, making four birdies in the next five holes to open up a three-shot lead.

He then safely parred his way home to complete a closing 67, finish the tournament on 12 under par and claim an eighth DP World Tour title just a couple of weeks before his 40th birthday.

Dane Marcus Helligkilde signed for a fourth-round 68 to finish in solo second on ten under, one clear of home favourite Park Sanghyun, Spain's Jorge Campillo, Dutchman Joost Luiten and Scotland's Scott Jamieson.

Larrazábal went into the final round one shot off the lead having bogeyed the 17th when he returned to complete his third round on Sunday morning.

But he took advantage of both of the front nine's par fives - the third and seventh - in round four to share the lead at the turn.

After starting the back nine with a disappointing bogey, Larrazábal bounced back with two consecutive birdies from around five feet at the 11th and 12th to grab the outright lead on ten under.

He created another good chance at the par-three 13th but was unable to convert his 15-foot putt.

A successful 20-foot birdie effort on the 14th green stretched Larrazábal's lead to two strokes before he got a lucky break at the 15th.

His tee-shot appeared to be going out of bounds but a fortuitous bounce sent the ball back down the slope and onto the cart path.

He made the most of his break, using his second shot to get the ball back in play before lifting his approach to two feet to set up a bonus birdie.

Holding a three-shot lead with three holes remaining, Larrazábal safely parred the 16th and 17th before finishing his round with another par on the last to clinch the trophy.

Larrazábal felt his performance in windy conditions on Saturday contributed greatly to his victory.

He said: "Yesterday was a battle. I actually didn't look at the leaderboard too much yesterday because I knew that it was a long road and it was all about keeping the ball in the best spots that I could putt or chip from."

"To shoot one under par yesterday was amazing. Obviously I was a little bit disappointed this morning to finish bogey-par in yesterday's round.

"But I love to compete, I love to fly out here, to see all these young guys hitting it miles and try to beat them.

"And that's what makes me the happiest guy in the world."

- DP World Tour website

Final leading scores Sunday after the fourth round of the DP World Tour's Korea Championship at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, Incheon, South Korea (KOR unless stated, par 72):

276 - Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 68-70-71-67

278 - Marcus Helligkilde (DEN) 70-72-68-68

279 - Scott Jamieson (SCO) 73-65-71-70, Park Sang-hyun 67-69-73-70, Jorge Campillo (ESP) 69-72-73-65, Joost Luiten (NED) 73-66-75-65

280 - Robert Macintyre (SCO) 69-70-69-72, Clement Sordet (FRA) 73-69-70-68, Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA) 72-65-75-68

281 - Kang Kyung-nam 71-68-72-70, Andy Sullivan (ENG) 67-75-71-68, Lee Jung-hwan 71-70-72-68, Ko Jeong-weon (FRA) 72-70-72-67

282 - Guido Migliozzi (ITA) 74-70-75-63, Bae Sang-moon 69-73-70-70, Kim Jae-ho 71-73-70-68, Alexander Bjork (SWE) 68-73-75-66, Gavin Green (USA) 72-71-72-67, Wang Jeung-hun 70-73-72-67, Daniel Gavins (ENG) 74-70-71-67

MacIntyre, Larrazábal lead after weather-affected Korea Championship

Robert MacIntyre overcame tricky conditions to grab a share of the lead before play was suspended due to fading light on the weather-affected third day of the Korea Championship.

After morning fog and rain caused the afternoon tee times to be pushed back by two hours and 15 minutes, MacIntyre and co. played their third rounds in strong winds, with no-one able to keep their cards clean as Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea really showed its teeth.

But that did not faze the Scot, who seemed to be holding his own shot-of-the-day competition as a series of tremendous wedge shots helped him sign for a 69 just before the daylight ran out.

MacIntyre heads into day four on eight under par, tied at the top of the leaderboard alongside Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal, who has two holes to complete when play resumes at 08:00 local time on Sunday morning.

Halfway co-leader Park Sanghyun was in a tie for third, one shot behind the leaders, after making three birdies and four bogeys in his first 14 holes.

Scotland's Scott Jamieson was also on seven under, having made two birdies and one bogey in his third-round 71.

- DP World Tour

Herbert edges Cockerill for DP Tour win in Japan

Australia's Lucas Herbert beat Canada's Aaron Cockerill in a playoff to win the ISPS Handa Championship on Sunday in the Europe-based DP World Tour's first event in Japan.

Herbert claimed his third victory on the tour after sinking a birdie on the second extra hole to finally shake off Cockerill at Ishioka Golf Club in Omitama, near Tokyo.

The Australian arrived in Japan late and trailed Cockerill by one shot heading into the final day, but made his intentions clear with an eagle on the fifth hole.

Cockerill hauled himself back into contention with a superb bunker shot on the 18th hole to finish level with Herbert on 15-under.

But the Australian had the last laugh in the playoff, recovering from a wayward tee shot on the second extra hole to hole out from 12 feet.

Scotland's Calum Hill finished alone in third on 14-under, one shot ahead of compatriot Grant Forrest and Japan's Hiroshi Iwata.

- AFP

Trio tied for the lead in Omitama, Japan

Grant Forrest shot the low round of the week to join Lucas Herbert and Jazz Janewattananond at the top of the ISPS HANDA-Championship leaderboard after round two.

The Scot drained a monster birdie putt at the eighth - his penultimate hole - before making a closing gain from around ten feet to sign for a 62 and join early starters Janewattananond and Herbert at 10 under par.

Thailand's Janewattananond also finished in style at PGM Ishioka Golf Club, making five birdies over the last seven holes, including three in a row from the 16th, in his round of 63. 

Australian Herbert, whose arrival into Japan was delayed by travel issues, also recorded a round of 63, which contained nine birdies and two bogeys.

Germany's Maximilian Kieffer was in solo fourth, one shot behind the leaders on nine under after his 65.

Takumi Kanaya was the leading Japanese player on eight under, alongside England's Jordan Smith and South African Deon Germishuys. 

Four-time Major Champion Ernie Els put on a show over the closing stretch, following a birdie on the 15th by holing his bunker shot for an eagle on the 16th to reach four under and safely make the cut.

The South African legend's magic on 16 helped the ISPS HANDA Eagle Pledge tally, with $1 000 being donated to the G4D Tour for every eagle made this week. 

- DP World Tour

Kim and Sullivan share the lead in Japan

Andy Sullivan and Kim Yeongsu posted opening 63s to lead the way after the first round of the 2023 ISPS Handa - Championship.

Four-time DP World Tour champion Sullivan fired eight birdies at PGM Ishioka Golf Club on Thursday, with his only blemish a bogey on the seventh.

South Korean Kim, the KPGA's 2022 Genesis Point Award winner, produced a flawless first round containing seven birdies to join Sullivan on seven under par, as the DP World Tour hosted its first regular season event in Japan, alongside the Japan Golf Tour Organisation. 

Englishman Sullivan started from the tenth tee and made birdies at the 12th, 15th, 16th and 18th to reach the turn in 31.

He then reeled off a hat-trick of birdies from the third before recovering from a bogey on the seventh with a closing gain from around eight feet.

Kim picked up his first birdie of the day at the fourth before catching fire around the turn, as he reeled off six birdies in eight holes from the ninth for a share of the lead.

Swede Alexander Björk, Canada's Aaron Cockerill and South African Deon Germishuys were one shot behind the leaders in a three-way tie for third.

Home favourites Keita Nakajima, Yosuke Asaji and Ryutaro Nagano were then on five under alongside South African Jacques Kruyswijk, Swede Sebastian Söderberg, Brad Kennedy of Australia, New Zealand's Daniel Hillier and Marcel Schneider of Germany.

- DP World Tour

Breakthrough for Baldwin in SDC Championship

England’s Matthew Baldwin claimed his first victory in his 200th start on the DP World Tour when he won the SDC Championship, which is co-sanctioned with the Sunshine Tour, by seven strokes at St Francis Links on Sunday.

Baldwin closed with a 68 to win on 18 under par and dedicated his victory to his late stepfather.

“It’s been a tough 12 months. My stepdad died last May, and this is for him,” he said.

Spain’s Adri Arnaus took second place on 11 under par with a final round of 67, while Jaco Ahlers finished as the leading South African in tied third place on 10 under par with a final-round 68.“It’s unbelievable,” a relieved Baldwin said of his win.

“It’s my 200th start so I’ve had plenty of opportunities. It’s just an unbelievable feeling right now.”

It was a long weekend of golf for the field, and which Baldwin managed superbly.

The wind that forced the suspension of the earlier rounds meant the third round had to be carried over into Sunday morning, with Baldwin finishing this with a solid 65, which lifted him to 14 under par overall.

The Englishman had a four-stroke lead over Norway’s Kristian Krogh Johannessen going into the final round and was never challenged.

"I played well all week. I was so steady out there, and I think that maybe put the pressure on those around me to try and play more attacking golf, and I was fortunate to come out on the right side of it."

It also comes at a good time for him both professionally and personally.

"It certainly makes the rest of the year more relaxing. I can plan a schedule. I'm also due to get married this year or the next, so I'll be able to have a couple of weeks off to help plan that, which is exciting."

But the ultimate reward is the confidence this win has brought him.

"It proves a lot to me. It proves that I'm good enough to be out here. I've had plenty of doubt, and this proves everything to me." –

Final Scores:

270 - Matthew Baldwin 70 67 65 68

277 - Adri Arnaus 72 68 70 67

278 - Ewen Ferguson 72 70 68 68, Jaco Ahlers 78 64 68 68, Antoine Rozner 72 68 70 68, Jens Dantorp 74 63 71 70, Kristian Krogh Johannessen 67 66 73 72

279 - Matthieu Pavon 75 69 68 67

280 - Thomas Aiken 72 70 69 69, Keenan Davidse 72 69 71 68, Joost Luiten 69 71 67 73, Daniel Brown 70 70 67 73, Albert Venter 70 67 72 71

281 - Thriston Lawrence 72 68 68 73, Connor Syme 68 72 72 69, Jaco Prinsloo 72 72 69 68, John Catlin 71 67 74 69

282 - Matthew Southgate 74 69 70 69, Jbe' Kruger 73 69 71 69, Nick Bachem 69 72 70 71, Tom McKibbin 76 65 72 69, David Ravetto 67 72 71 72

283 - Niklas Norgaard 76 66 70 71, Nacho Elvira 74 68 71 70, Jordan Smith 73 69 74 67, Casey Jarvis 73 69 70 71, Ross Fisher 71 67 70 75, Anton Karlsson 73 71 71 68, Julien Brun 69 67 75 72

284 - Louis de Jager 71 72 70 71, Jean Hugo 72 67 75 70285 - Trevor Fisher Jnr 73 69 68 75, Jeong Weon Ko 76 66 67 76, Oliver Bekker 72 71 70 72, Daniel van Tonder 75 68 76 66, James Kamte 71 70 71 73, Dale Whitnell 73 71 67 74, Shaun Norris 74 70 66 75, Brandon Stone 72 72 66 75, Hennie Otto 73 71 70 71

286 - Gavin Green 72 70 70 74, Jaco Van Zyl 74 69 72 71, Zander Lombard 71 72 71 72, Yeongsu Kim 74 70 71 71, Richie Ramsay 73 67 75 71, Bryce Easton 73 71 72 70287 - Dylan Naidoo 75 68 70 74, Dylan Mostert 73 70 69 75, Louis Albertse 70 73 70 74, Luca Filippi 73 71 74 69, Luke Jerling 78 66 69 74, Ruan Korb 71 73 67 76

288 - Aaron Cockerill 77 66 73 72, Neil Schietekat 73 71 70 74289 - Alexander Levy 70 72 75 72

290 - Robin Sciot-Siegrist 71 72 81 66, Justin Harding 71 70 74 75291 - Rafa Cabrera Bello 73 67 70 81, Todd Clements 71 73 73 74

292 - Sean Cronje 69 73 77 73, Andy Sullivan 72 72 73 75294 - George Coetzee 72 71 74 77, Keagan Thomas 79 64 77 74, Sami Valimaki 70 70 74 80

295 - CJ du Plessis 74 69 79 73, Merrick Bremner 71 72 78 74298 - Luke Brown 75 69 78 76

RTD - Hurly Long 74 68 74 RTD 

- – Michael Vlismas

Luiten, Brown share clubhouse lead at St Francis

Joost Luiten and Daniel Brown both made it into the clubhouse shortly before dark at the end of a long day in the SDC Championship and secured themselves a share of the clubhouse lead at St Francis Links.

The suspended second round was completed on Saturday morning, with Norway’s Kristian Johannessen finishing as the leader on 11 under par.

The field then went straight into the third round, which was unable to be completed because of fading light.  

But Luiten and Brown both managed to finish their rounds with respective 67s for the clubhouse lead on nine under par, while Johannessen and Matthew Baldwin share the on-course lead on 11 under par.  

Johannessen is level par for his round through 13 holes, and Baldwin is four under for his round through 13 holes.  

Luiten felt he could’ve done better than his 67 on a day when his putter held him back.  

“It was a good 11 holes and then the putter just went cold on the last seven holes. I gave myself a lot of chances and nothing went in so I’m a bit annoyed with that. I hit the ball lovely but it’s hard to hole putts on these greens. You’ve got to stay patient.”  

But a bogey-free round helped to soothe some of those frustrations.  

“No bogeys on the scorecard is good. It was a good day overall. You know, five under on the Saturday is always a good score. But I think it could’ve been a couple better. I just need to see if I can drop some putts in the final round and put some pressure on the leaders.”  

Brown was very pleased with his 67.  

“It was really solid. I didn’t do a lot wrong and it was just really steady. I still had 11 holes to go this morning and then I just kept feeling confident. It’s been pretty tough this week with the stop-start rounds. But it’s going to be nice to have the buzz of having a chance in the final round.”

- Michael Vlismas  

Spain's Campillo leads Kenya Open by one, SA's Schaper slips to third

Jorge Campillo will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the 2023 Magical Kenya Open Presented by Absa after finishing with four successive birdies on Saturday.

The Spaniard began the day five shots off the lead but charged through the field with a flawless 63 which contained eight birdies, setting the early clubhouse target at 13 under par.

The two-time DP World Tour winner was nearly overtaken at the top of the leaderboard in dramatic fashion as Scotland's Robert MacIntyre almost holed his approach at the 18th for an albatross.

MacIntyre's wedge shot hit the hole before running around ten feet past, and although he was unable to convert his eagle putt, the 2022 DS Automobiles Italian Open winner made a closing birdie to sit alone in second, one stroke behind Campillo.

SA's Jayden Schaper and Masahiro Kawamura were then in a tie for third on 11 under. Campillo made a bright start on day three, notching birdies at the third, fifth and ninth to turn in 33 blows.

After taking advantage of the short 11th, 36-year-old Campillo earned a share of the lead with a hat-trick of birdies at the 15th, 16th and 17th.

And he produced a great up-and-down from a bunker at the last to make it four birdies in a row. Campillo's 63 was the joint-lowest round of the week and gives him a slender advantage heading into Sunday.

He said: "It was a great round. I played really solid and was able to make a few long putts as well, that helps. 

"I finished great. Four birdies in a row to finish and I didn’t have a chance to make any bogeys. It was a comfortable round. I hit it very solid and I putted great, so everything worked out really good.

"I’m glad that I’ve won twice, otherwise I’d be quite nervous. Since I know how hard it is to win I just need to have a good day tomorrow and hope nobody else plays great like I did today. 

"It’s not going to be easy, I’m going to try and keep playing the way I have been and see if I can make the putts."

MacIntyre made five birdies on the front nine at Muthaiga Golf Club, with his only blemish before the turn a bogey at the third. After curling in his tricky eagle putt at the long tenth, MacIntyre bogeyed the 16th before tapping in for a birdie on the last.

Speaking about his near miss on the 18th, MacIntyre said: "Mike (caddie Mike Thomson) was adamant I should stay in the middle of the green but I had a wedge in my hand - I'm not really backing away from a pin with a wedge.

"That's the way I play golf and it was just good to see it be up there close."  

- DP World Tour.

Spain's Elviro leads Kenya Open, SA's Schaper shares second spot

Nacho Elvira will take a one-stroke lead into the weekend at the Kenya Open after shooting an eagle on the final hole to cap a six-under par round of 65.

The Spaniard started the day three strokes off the lead and fell further behind after a bogey on the fourth hole.

But the 36-year-old, whose sole DP World Tour victory came at the 2021 Cazoo Open, recovered with two birdies before the turn on the seventh and eighth holes.

He carded his third birdie of the day on the 10th and then recorded five success pars before finishing birdie-birdie-eagle to card a 10-under par total, sitting one stroke ahead of a trio of golfers on nine under. Sharing second place are Germany’s South Africa's Jayden Schaper, Germany's Nick Bachem and Ryo Hisatsune of Japan.

Hisatsune carded the lowest round of the day at Muthaiga Golf Club as he signed for an eight under par 63.

Three-time DP World Tour winner John Catlin shares fifth place with Masahiro Kawamura of Japan and Spain’s Borja Virto.

Leading the home charge is Mutahi Kibugu, the only Kenyan golfer to make the cut in this year’s event.

The 21-year-old follows in the footsteps of his younger brother Njoroge, who made the cut last year.

Kibugu delighted the home crowds with a birdie on the 18th as he signed for a level par round of 71, sitting in a share of 36th place on three under.  

"Every time you’re leading it's the best position to be in. I feel like I've been playing good, even at the beginning of the year when I was missing cuts but I felt like the game was still there. Maybe a couple more putts dropped the last few days and that makes it a good score," Elvira said.

"I didn't look at the leaderboard (before starting). We had a game plan, we tried to stick to it. We tried to enjoy the moment, I’ve been struggling. It's my caddie's first week with me, I've been struggling trying to enjoy myself on the golf course and I’m trying to do that at the moment."   

SA's Schaper added: "Last minute invite on the Sunday, sitting at home not knowing if I was going to play. I've been playing some good golf, I'm very happy to be here and it’s nice to put some good rounds together and get off to a good start.

"I've got my dad on the bag, I’m feeling good. I know the golf course, everything to gain, nothing to lose. I just have to get out there, have some fun and hit some good golf shots."

- DP World Tour