Blizard holds narrow lead at NZPGA
BY Bruce Young | Australasian PGA Tour | 2013 New Zealand PGA Pro-Am Championship | Round Three | 03 Mar 2013
New South Welshman Rohan Blizard will take a one shot lead into the final round of the New Zealand PGA Championship at the Hills Golf Club in Queenstown after his bogey free round of 66 moved him one clear of defending champion Michael Hendry.
The former Australian Amateur Champion is chasing his second PGA Tour of Australasia title having previously won the West Australian Open although with this event being a Tier One event the stakes are considerably higher.
“Rather be one ahead than one behind I guess,” said Blizard referring to the narrow lead he has. "I don’t mind having the lead – go out there and just try to keep to my game plan and have fun. I’ve had fun for the first three days – had a great playing partner today with the amateur and we just tried to make as many birdies as we could.
“I obviously know the crowd will be going for Mike seeing he is the defending champion and he’s from New Zealand but if you are playing well and the crowd applauds good shots that’s all you can ask for.”
Hendry is chasing a successful defence of the first PGA Tour of Australia title he won in dramatic circumstances last year when he survive a quadruple bogey late in his round to win by two.
Hendry leaves on Monday for the WGC Cadillac event in Miami and victory here would be the perfect send off for him.
Scott Strange took a while to get going on day three but when he did he stormed home with four birdies in his last six holes and is now within two shots of the leader.
Strange is one of the most credentialed players in the field having won the Wales Open and the Volvo China Open on the European Tour in recent years. He required an invitation to get a start in this week’s event and has repaid the tournament organisers for their decision.
Australian Leigh Deagan is in a share of 4th position while 17 year old Chinese golfer Li Hao Tong is next along with New Zealander Gareth Padisson.
The team event is being led by Michael Long and his amateur partner Chris Hunter.
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