Advertisement
It wasn't one of Danny's better days. Steve Paston
PGa Championship

Late eagle lifts Hend into the lead after Danny Willett endures a nightmare day at the office

An exciting final day is in store with no fewer than 17 players just five shots off the lead.

AN EAGLE AT the final hole enabled Scott Hend to snatch the outright lead after three rounds of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on Saturday.

The Australian recovered from bogeys at the 13th, 14th and 15th to produce three superb shots on the final hole for the second successive day, edging closer to what would be his second European Tour victory of the year.

Hend, however, was quick to stress that he is not getting carried away.

“I’m not really thinking that far ahead right now,” he said. ”I’ll just go about my work tomorrow and try and get the ball a bit more off the centre of the club, a bit more consistency in the swing.

“Obviously it’s a big one, but right now it’s just another tournament and what will be, will be.”

Hend started the round tied for the lead with Danny Willett and Y.E. Yang on 10-under, but the duo hit five bogies each to fall off the pace.

The South Korean carded 75 to drop to joint-third on the leaderboard, while the 2016 Masters winner’s 76 sent him tumbling down to tied-sixth.

Moving in the opposite direction, meanwhile, was Tyrrell Hatton, who shot five birdies in seven holes on the back nine to rise to second on eight-under for the tournament.

2016 BMW PGA Championship - Day Three - Wentworth Club Leader Scott Hend. Steve Paston Steve Paston

And the 24-year-old, who finished joint-fifth at the Irish Open last weekend, was understandably delighted with his round.

“I’m very happy with that,” said Hatton. ”It’s my lowest round here, my first round in the 60s, so I’m very pleased.

“I’ve been walking around this place since I was a five-year-old and I was in awe of the guys inside of the ropes. “

Lee Westwood produced an efficient round to join Yang in third on seven-under, with Jaco van Zyl also recording a disappointing 75.

Three shots adrift of Hend, however, the South African remains in contention, as does two-time major winner Martin Kaymer.

Graeme McDowell sits in a tie for 28th after a one-over par round of 73 on Saturday. He’s one-under par for the tournament.

No fewer than 17 players will head into Sunday’s final round within five strokes of the lead.

The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!

Willett fades after record-breaking front nine to sit in three-way tie for lead