Immelman in early charge
ByReuters
Published 09/07/2005 at 12:41 GMT
South Africa's Trevor Immelman fired a six-under-par 65 to make the first significant move in the Scottish Open third round on Saturday. The 25-year-old, who started an overcast day 10 strokes off the lead, reeled off four birdies and an eagle three at th
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
That left him four adrift of overnight pacesetter Maarten Lafeber of the Netherlands, who was scheduled to tee off at 1315 local (1215 GMT).
"I'm certainly not complaining about shooting a 65 but on the first nine I missed several putts from inside 10 feet," Immelman told Reuters.
"I'll probably need a 62 tomorrow to have a chance of winning, with around 15 under likely to be leading after today.
"I had really struggled over the first nine holes on Thursday but managed to hold it together after that and then found something on the range," added the South African, who recovered from an opening 74 with a second-round 66.
"Since then, I've been hitting the ball really well."
Immelman, who tied for sixth at last week's European Open in Ireland, birdied the third, sixth, eighth and ninth holes to reach the turn in four-under 32.
GREENSIDE BUNKER
He then eagled 13, where he holed out from a greenside bunker, before parring the remaining holes to hold the early clubhouse lead.
Out on the course, Australia's Adam Scott made the biggest impression, seven birdies in the first 13 holes lifting him to 12 under.
The world number seven, back at Loch Lomond this week after a two-year absence, picked up shots on four, seven, eight, nine, 10, 12 and 13 to vault into contention for his fifth European Tour title.
Also making early moves were three-times major winner Ernie Els, five under for the day after nine holes, and former Ryder Cup player Paul Broadhurst, also five under after 14.
South African Els, bidding this week for an unprecedented third Scottish Open title, was 11 under overall with Englishman Broadhurst at nine under.
Lafeber fired a best-of-the-week 63 on Friday to forge one stroke clear at the tournament's halfway point with a 36-hole total of 12-under 130.
Argentina's Angel Cabrera was alone in second place following a 67, with Ryder Cup player Darren Clarke (65), a further shot back in a tie for third with fellow Britons Alastair Forsyth (64) and Jonathan Lomas (65).
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