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Aug 16th, 2020
Syme grabs the lead at Celtic Manor
Scot in seach of his maiden tour victory
Words: GolfPunk Photography: Getty Images
Connor Syme will go in search of a maiden European Tour title after carding a tournament-low eight-under-par round of 63 to take a one stroke lead into the final day of the Celtic Classic.
The Scotsman started the third round four strokes behind halfway leader Sam Horsfield, but quickly made a move with three birdies on the front nine. The 25-year-old carded five birdies on the back nine as he went on to sign for a 15 under par total, one stroke ahead of Horsfield.
"I just played lovely, to be honest. It’s obviously very nice conditions and I got off to a decent start. I maybe didn’t play the front nine as well as I’d like but I managed to get to three under through nine, which was great. I holed the putts that I had opportunities on so it was a nice base to build on. It was nice throughout, really." said the Scotsman after his round.
Horsfield, who is seeking a second title since the European Tour season resumed after winning the Hero Open a fortnight ago, parred the first eight holes before his first birdie of the day on the ninth. Two gains followed on the 14th and 16th holes as, like Syme, he returned a blemish-free card.
Sadly for Thomas Pieters he let a two-shot lead slip in dramatic style during the third round of the Celtic Classic.
Sweden's Sebastian Soderberg carded a bogey-free six under par 65 to move up to third place on 13 under par, one stroke ahead of Thomas Detry of Belgium, England's Andrew Johnston and Adrian Meronk of Poland.
England's Callum Shinkwin and 2016 Ryder Cup player Thomas Pieters of Belgium share seventh on 11 under.
For the Leaderboard click HERE
The Scotsman started the third round four strokes behind halfway leader Sam Horsfield, but quickly made a move with three birdies on the front nine. The 25-year-old carded five birdies on the back nine as he went on to sign for a 15 under par total, one stroke ahead of Horsfield.
"I just played lovely, to be honest. It’s obviously very nice conditions and I got off to a decent start. I maybe didn’t play the front nine as well as I’d like but I managed to get to three under through nine, which was great. I holed the putts that I had opportunities on so it was a nice base to build on. It was nice throughout, really." said the Scotsman after his round.
Horsfield, who is seeking a second title since the European Tour season resumed after winning the Hero Open a fortnight ago, parred the first eight holes before his first birdie of the day on the ninth. Two gains followed on the 14th and 16th holes as, like Syme, he returned a blemish-free card.
Sadly for Thomas Pieters he let a two-shot lead slip in dramatic style during the third round of the Celtic Classic.
Sweden's Sebastian Soderberg carded a bogey-free six under par 65 to move up to third place on 13 under par, one stroke ahead of Thomas Detry of Belgium, England's Andrew Johnston and Adrian Meronk of Poland.
England's Callum Shinkwin and 2016 Ryder Cup player Thomas Pieters of Belgium share seventh on 11 under.
For the Leaderboard click HERE