Norris fires 64 to lead NSW Open

BY Anthony Powter | Australasian PGA Tour | 2009 New South Wales Open | Round Three | 28 Nov 2009

Jason Norris defied the elements during the third round of the NSW Open as he fired a peerless third round 7-under-par 64 for the lead at The Vintage Golf Club in the Hunter Valley.

Norris, winner of this event in 2007, started the third round in a tie for 10th, eight shots behind overnight leader, James Nitties.

Four birdies on the opening nine provided the South Australian with the momentum to keep his score going and another four birdies on The Vintage’s back nine finished off one of his best rounds for the season. The only blemish to Norris’ card came on the par 3, 12th with a bogey.

“I’m striking the ball the best that I have for some time,” said Norris.

“The course is playing tough with the wind being across the holes on most. I was just able to keep the ball in play and the score reflected that in probably what was one of my best rounds this year.”

James Nitties is in outright second position, a stroke behind Norris at 7-under.

Nitties started with a four stroke overnight lead on the field, however, three bogeys and one birdie during today’s round resulted in a 2-over-par, 73 to enable Norris to make up the ground.

Rohan Blizard, the 2007 Australian Amateur Champion, was another third round mover firing a 4-under-par, 67 to be currently in third position at 5-under-par. Aaron Townsend is a stoke behind Blizard after a third round 3-under-par, 68 and just four strokes behind Norris.

Townsend is playing off last week’s win at the NSW PGA Championship at Wollongong and the defending champion certainly remains in the hunt at The Vintage. Aaron Pike, who also played well last week in Wollongong, is in a tie for 5th position at 3-under, along with Heath Reed.

Tournament host, Nathan Green, is currently at 2-under-par for the championship and in a tie for 7th.

Today’s third round represented a mixed bag of results under extremely testing conditions. The wind certainly played its part in keep scores higher and birdies were a premium as was patience.

There was no break away round from Nitties which many were expecting after his brilliant display golf during yesterday’s round. Instead Norris was able to defy the elements to sneakily move on the leaders and snatch the third round lead.

Two year’s ago in the NSW Open at The Vintage, Norris secured his second Von Nida Tour Championship, finishing at seven under with a 277, a stroke ahead of Jarrod Lyle, who stormed home with a closing five-under 66, to finished outright second.

Nitties also played that year and tomorrow he’ll be seeking to better or repeat the 66 he fired during that last round in 2007.

The NSW Open has evolved into an evenly fought contest and with players of the calibre such as Townsend and Nitties closely on the heels of Norris, it should make for a fascinating finish.