Following a miserably wet Friday, the sunshine returned to The Belfry on Saturday as round three of the Betfred British Masters continued an enthralling week in Sutton Coldfield.
Thorbjorn Olesen takes a three stroke clubhouse lead heading into the fourth and final day, finishing with a stunning eagle-birdie finish to help him take control of the tournament. The Dane’s commendable lead was bolstered by two eagles as he bids for a first win in four years.
Olesen finished the day 11 under overall, with third-round leader Hurly Long and Salford’s Marcus Armitage the nearest challengers on 8 under. Justin Walters, Chase Hanna, Fabrizio Zanotti and Rasmus Højgaard ended another shot further back. Scotland’s Richie Ramsay, without a win since 2015, held a two-shot lead at one stage but finished poorly and is now four back.
Host Danny Willett struck a double-bogey six on the 18th, dropping him to four under and into a tie for 17th place.
“It was an odd round, I had to stay patient out there,” Olesen said. “I had a look at the leaderboard on 15, I always look.
“I sensed that no one was going really low. Which actually made it easier to stay patient. I knew I was still where I wanted to be.
“I’m going to be nervous. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in this position. I know how hard it is to win out here.
“I feel like I have plenty if experience. I’ve won five times and been close a lot of times and haven’t won.
“I haven’t felt nervous like this for a while. But I’ve always enjoyed that feeling when I get into contention.”
Armitage, who won his maiden DP World Tour title in Germany last year, said: “Getting it in play is the key, especially round here as there’s a few tricky holes, and then play smart golf and get the putter hot.
"The last round in Germany (a 65) my putter was going silly. Hopefully I can get a little bit of that going and get the win.”
*18+ | BeGambleAware
