Adrian Otaegui charges to top of Andalucia Masters leaderboard after taming Valderrama

ByAlex Livie

Published 15/10/2022 at 16:04 GMT

It was moving day in the Andalicua Masters at Valderrama and home favourite Adrian Otaegui did exactly that. The Spaniard surged into the lead on the back of a brillianr rin of birdies on his front nine. He kept things steady on his inward nine and will take a six-shot lead into Sunday's final round. Joakim Lagergren is the closest challenger after a fine round.

Adrian Otaegui seized control of the Andalucia Masters and will take a six-shot lead into the final round.

The Spaniard has had a mixed time of things in 2022, but hit form on Saturday at Valderrama to take control of the tournament.

With defending champion and pre-tournament favourite Matt Fitzpatrick missing the cut, the door was open for someone to take charge and it was Hidalgo who seized the chance.

Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters

Otaegui becomes first LIV Golf player to win on DP World Tour

16/10/2022 at 17:41

Otaegui began the day in a share of the lead, and made his move early on with a run of four birdies in five holes from the second to the sixth.

On what is a brutally difficult track, Otaegui consolidated around the turn before finding an excellent birdie on the 16th.

And to assert his authority, Otaegui poured in two more birdies on 17 and 18 to get to 16-under thanks to a round of 64.

Third Round Leaderboard

• 1. Adrian Otaegui, 16-under
• T2. Joakim Lagergren, 10-under
• T2. Angel Hidalgo, 10-under
• 4. Min Woo Lee, nine-under
• 5. Robert MacIntyre, seven-under
• 6. Jordan Smith, six-under

Angel Hidalgo commanded the headlines on Friday when setting the tournament record.

His play was not as good 24 hours on, but he still produced the moment of the day when making a miraculous par on the ninth.

Life as a Golf Twin - 21-yr-old Hojgaard brothers making waves on the DP World Tour

His tee shot found the left rough and after attempting to swing the ball round a tree, it hit the bough and went 40 yards backwards and to the left.

Playing his third shot from an adjoining fairway, he took the ball over the trees and found the fringe. He sealed the great escape by rolling in the par putt - to the delight of the home fans.

Joakim Lagergren is battling to retain his DP World Tour playing rights for next season, and has an excellent chance of doing it thanks to a fine round of 67.

After slipping back on the opening nine, the Swede made four birdies in a row from 11 to 14 and an eagle on 17 took him to 10-under.

Robert MacIntyre has been in fine form, having won the Italian Open last month, and the Scot is still in the hunt at seven-under.

He did not have his best game on Saturday, but was helped out by some brilliant shots such as when holing out from a bunker on the 11th.

Rasmus Hojgaard, who has set a goal of securing a place in the European Ryder Cup team, produced his best round of the week, a 68, to get to five-under.

In contrast, his twin Nicolai went backwards as a round of 72 saw him drop to three-over.

Fitzpatrick’s brother Alex is also at three-over following a disappointing round of 74.

Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters

Hidalgo posts tournament record, Fitzpatrick misses cut

14/10/2022 at 17:33

Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters

'I got Valderrama'd today' - Tough start to Andalucia defence for Fitzpatrick

13/10/2022 at 18:08

Golf

McIlroy wants PGA board return to help unify game of golf

00:01:32

|

26/04/2024 at 12:04