Melbourne's Tampion sets pace at Victorian PGA
BY iseekgolf.com | Von Nida Tour | 2007 Victorian PGA Championship | Round Three | 27 Jan 2007
Colourful Melbourne rookie Andrew Tampion is the new pace-setter of the nab Victorian PGA Championship following his third round of 68. With rounds of 68, 66 and 68, Tampion has a one-shot lead heading into tomorrow’s final round.
Anthony Painter with rounds of 69, 64 and 70 is a shot back in outright second place while Cameron Percy (66, 68 and 70) is third.
Runaway halfway leader Kurt Barnes endured a rollercoaster ride to fall three shots behind. The 25-year-old from the Hunter Valley in NSW began the third round five strokes in front but faulted with a topsy-turvy 77, 15 shots more than his second round 62 that established a new course record at Sanctuary Lakes.
Barnes, the 2002 Australian amateur champion, showed signs of early nerves with a bogey, double-bogey start but recovered immediately with back-to-back birdies. However the power-hitter then lost total control as a dramatic third round unfolded.
Barnes had his name removed from the leaderboard at one point after reaching eight over par for the round. Three late birdies, however, brought him back into contention for the title. Barnes, a previous winner of the Victorian Open, was understandably mystified by his performance.
“It was a totally lopsided round,” he said. “The weather wasn’t great. I was on the fairway most of the holes but I did have a lot of three-putts. I just want to go home and forget about it.”
Barnes along with Ewan Porter share fourth spot.
New leader Tampion has a card to play on the European Tour but was balloted out of the co-sanctioned Qatar Masters. Playing this week at Sanctuary Lakes on a sponsor’s invitation, Tampion displayed plenty of resolve on a difficult day for scoring.
The talented 22-year-old from Dingley is eager to make an immediate impact in the professional ranks, especially while being given the chance to compete on home ground.
“I actually enjoy this kind of weather,” he explained. “You have to play a lot of different shots. And the conditions make you think a lot more. You also have to be patient. And you have to stick to your lines from the tee because it is very easy to get frustrated out there.”
The tough finishing stretch of holes at Sanctuary Lakes, a par 72 course designed by Greg Norman, proved quite daunting, with many players trying desperately to avoid water hazards flanking fairways and greens.
Indeed, Jason Norris (SA) reached the joint lead at 14 under par with two holes remaining but finished bogey, double-bogey to drop back into a tie for sixth.
Tampion also found the going tough on the final hole, ending his round with a bogey after hitting a wayward drive into the lateral water hazard left of the fairway.
The final round of the nab Victorian PGA Championship is on Sunday January 28th with the first group out at 8.10am and the final pairing of Tampion, Painter and Percy due to to begin their at 11.00am.
Source – Von Nida Tour
