Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen carded a brilliant seven under par round of 65 to climb into contention in the Swiss Challenge, joining three others at the top of a congested leaderboard at Golf Saint Apollinaire.
The Dane joined countryman Jeppe Kristian Andersen, American Julian Suri and Germany’s Velten Meyer in a share of the lead at 12 under par after carding five birdies and an eagle in an incredible six-hole stretch on the back nine.
The 24-year-old was level par through ten holes but came home in 29 and admits when the first putt dropped, it was hard to miss.
“After ten holes I was at level par for the day and I thought I was playing well just to be level par,” he said. “I was just telling myself to stay patient and that I could make a couple of birdies on the way in.
“I finally saw a putt drop on hole 11 and I hit a great shot in on the 12th and made the putt for eagle. I hit it to two feet on the next whole, so all-of-a-sudden I was four under through three holes.
“I was thinking that it was a nice little run, but just to keep taking it shot-by-shot. I then made a long putt on 14 out of nowhere really, and I rolled two more in on the next two holes.
“I saw one putt go in and the floodgates opened. I was making them from everywhere which was really pleasing and nice to see.”
Neergaard-Petersen has been playing off invites since turning professional earlier this year and in ten starts has already registered a top ten finish on both the Challenge Tour and DP World Tour. Tomorrow he will go in search of a first professional win, the prospect of which he’s excited by.
“I’ve only been a pro for three months now, but it would mean the world to me to win,” he said. “It would definitely be a huge confidence boost.
“For me it’s going to be the same thing I was going through today. I’ll try to stay level-headed and just take it one shot at a time. It’s obviously important to finish strong this year but I’m not putting too much pressure on myself.”
Spaniard Ivan Cantero Gutierrez, Swede Adam Blomme and Englishman Sam Bairstow share fifth place on 11 under par, with Jesper Svensson from Sweden, Italian Matteo Manassero, Oliver Lindell from Finland and overnight leader Brandon Stone one stroke further back on ten under par.
The final round gets under way at 9:00am local time with Neergaard-Petersen teeing off alongside Andersen and Meyer at 10:50am.
