MATT WALLACE WILL take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Italian Open after carding a four under 67 at Golf Club Milano today.
The Englishman came into the day’s play as joint-leader with Marcus Fraser, the pair enjoying a two-stroke advantage over the rest of the field. But Fraser, having shot 62 on Friday, went round in 72 to fall five shots back while Wallace moved to 17 under.
Ireland’s Paul Dunne is six shots back from Wallace after carding a third round 66 thanks to four birdies and his second birdie at the 14th in as many days.
The recent British Masters winner sits on 11 under par heading into Sunday, while Graeme McDowell is one over after carding a 72 today. Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington missed the cut yesterday.
Tyrrell Hatton — a winner at last week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship — and home favourite Francesco Molinari, the defending champion, signed for 65 and 66 respectively and represent Wallace’s closest challengers.
George Coetzee, who carded two eagles, and Kiradech Aphibarnrat sit a shot further back, while a trio of players will head into Sunday’s final round on 13 under. Wallace picked up three birdies on his front nine, although he suffered a setback with a bogey on the par-three seventh, before gaining further strokes on 13 and 14.
It looked as though his advantage would be cut when he sent his drive on the 18th into the trees down the left-hand side, but he chipped back onto the fairway before sending his approach to five feet and holing his putt for a commendable par.
There was a landmark day for Canada’s Austin Connelly, who carded a one-over 72 playing alongside Sergio Garcia, 18 years after meeting the Masters champion as a toddler. Connelly sits on eight under for the tournament and Garcia is two strokes better off.
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