Austrian Bernd Wiesberger looks to have the spirits on his side as he takes a one stroke lead into the final round of ALLIANZ Golf Open du Grand Toulouse in France.
Wiesberger has already won one title this year, the ALLIANZ Golf Open de Lyon, and, spookily, the promoters of that event, Halloween, are also promoting the Toulouse event.
With the omens on his side, Wiesberger, who celebrated his 25 birthday on Friday, is on course for his second Challenge Tour title which would seal his card for The 2011 European Tour.
Golf de Toulouse-Seilh was again battered by strong winds gusting up to 25 mph, but Wiesberger refused to be blown off course as he shot a four under par 67 to move to six under par and one clear of Frenchman Charles-Edouard Russo with England’s Rob Dinwiddie a further shot behind.
“It didn’t come easy and I had to grind my way through the back nine,” said Wiesberger. “You just have to take pars sometimes. Everything worked my way today and I hope it continues tomorrow.
“I got off to a good start, especially with the birdie on the third which is a really tough hole with the crosswind and then another on the sixth, where you feel you are really gaining shots on the field. But it was the par saves which kept the momentum going.
“It is strange that there are only two Challenge Tour events put on by this promoter and I won the first one and I am in a good position again. Maybe it is a good sign.”
Overnight leader Russo battled back from three dropped shots in his first four holes with two late birdies to get back in the hunt as he lies only one stroke off the lead at five under par after a round of 73.
“It was so difficult with the wind,” said Russo. “I just told myself at the turn it was another nine holes and to try and fight again and I was pleased with how I came back. It is so hard to concentrate, especially on the greens.”
Dinwiddie is well on course to bounce straight back to The European Tour, currently lying in fourth place on the Rankings, and a win on Sunday will seal the deal.
“It was brutally difficult, especially the last three or four holes,” explained Dinwiddie after signing for a one under par 70 and four under total of 209. “But the ball wasn’t moving so the course was playable.”
A 40 foot birdie putt on the 16th proved the highlight of an impressive round as well as a series of key par putts.
“I want to finish as high up the Rankings as I possibly can and get as good a card as I can for next year.”
