Home favourite Matt Fitzpatrick will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo after signing for a Saturday 68 that featured a chip-in eagle.
The Englishman, hoping to catch the eye of European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald before he makes his picks for next month’s biennial showpiece, did his chances no harm as he carded an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys to reach 12 under par.
That saw the Major champion claim the outright lead after 54 holes, but Fitzpatrick will have another former winner of this event on his tail on Sunday, with Swede Alex Noren his nearest challenger on 11 under.
Last week’s winner Marco Penge continued his fine form, firing nine birdies and no bogeys in a flawless third-round 63 on home soil to equal the course record at The Belfry Hotel & Resort.
The Englishman sits alongside Nicolai Højgaard in a tie-third, two shots off the lead, while Scottish amateur Cameron Adam is among the group another stroke back after his bogey-free 66.
Fitzpatrick started the day one shot off the lead but was already two behind by the time he teed off after Penge’s brilliance early in the day.
The 2015 champion opened his birdie account from six feet at the par-five 3rd but gave the shot back at the 6th.
He bounced back immediately by taking advantage of the par-three 7th before holing from 10 feet for another birdie at the 10th.
He bogeyed the 11th but got the shot straight back at the 12th courtesy of a 25-foot birdie.
The highlight came at the 15th, where Fitzpatrick holed his chip for an eagle to seize the outright lead.
And although he had further birdie chances coming in, Fitzpatrick had to settle for a hat-trick of pars and a slender one-shot cushion over Noren.
Speaking about the prospect of winning this event for a second time, Fitzpatrick said: “It would be amazing. To do it 10 years apart would be pretty cool, too. Looking forward to the opportunity. As I was out there today, it’s just really enjoyable to be in these situations. Scottie Scheffler must be absolutely buzzing every week. It’s really nice to be in contention, playing solid and giving yourself a chance of winning a golf tournament.”
Noren, who made an eagle and five birdies in his spotless 65, said: “It feels amazing. I struggled yesterday and the first day. I scored well the first day, then talked to my coach, needed to work on some stuff. Came here a little bit earlier this morning, which I never do before a late round. It paid off today.”
Spain’s Angel Hidalgo produced early fireworks on day three as he made a slam-dunk hole-in-one at the 7th on Saturday morning.
South Africa’s Brandon Stone carded a five-under 70 to share 29th position.
– Edited article from DP World Tour
Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images
