Open de Espana: After shooting a six-under 65 to take the lead in the 2022 Open de Espana by one stroke, Spain’s Jon Rahm is still on track to tie the record of three national Open victories held by legend Seve Ballesteros.
Rahm, who won this competition in 2018 and 2019, is seeking to catch the late Ballesteros by winning his national Open for the third time. Rahm is at 16 under par and holds a slim lead over Australia’s Min Woo Lee going into the final round.
At Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, Stephen Gallacher, Louis de Jager, Marc Warren, Eddie Pepperell, Matthieu Pavon, and Kiradech Aphibarnrat are three shots back in a tie for first place on 13 under. Edoardo Molinari, who tied Zander Lombard for the lowest round of the week with his 63, is a shot further back.
At the beginning of his round, Rahm trailed the overnight leaders Gallacher and Paul Waring by two strokes. Despite leaving a difficult up-and-down after missing the green to the left of the par-five, the Spaniard birdied the fourth and picked up another shot at the seventh.
When Lee, who was paired with Rahm, hit a seven-iron 241 yards down the hill to a few feet, she converted the putt for an eagle, putting the Australian and Gallacher in the lead.
When Lee rolled in a 22-footer with a touch of left-to-right on the 11th hole, Rahm saw him reach 14 under. However, he ensured that the deficit remained at one by following Lee in from 11 feet for his own birdie.
The crowd enjoyed it, and they cheered once more when Rahm nearly aced his approach to the par-4 12th hole. The ball spun back past the cup, leaving a difficult putt for birdie, but Rahm made it, taking a share of the lead.
Jon Rahm after his third round 65 🎤
He will take a one shot lead going into the final round in Madrid.#AccionaOpen pic.twitter.com/0Q6bIL8k3d
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) October 8, 2022
Rahm missed his eagle putt at the par-five 14th hole, but he still walked away with a birdie, taking the lead at 15 under when Lee could only manage a par after hitting his second long.
The two then went on a brief run of pars, but Rahm had to work particularly hard at 17 after hitting his tee shot into the sand and needing to make a difficult save from seven feet.
Lee retained his composure and holed his own birdie attempt from 14 feet to sign for a 66 and set up a delicious Sunday — the fourth round in a row the two will play together. Rahm’s eagle putt at 18 didn’t have the legs, but he tapped in for birdie.
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