Brendan McGovern’s lead at European Senior Tour Qualifying School final stage was cut to just one stroke as 28 golfers secured their place in Thursday’s final round at Pestana Golf & Resort.
Playing on the Vale da Pinta course in Lagoa, Portugal, America’s Clark Dennis closed the gap on McGovern after carding the lowest round of this year’s Final Stage, a seven under par 64.
He is followed by compatriot Barry Conser on six under par and Spain’s José Manuel Carriles, who sits a shot further back in fourth place.
Sharing fifth spot are Jean Pierre Sallat and Gary Rusnak, however, with just five cards available for the 2017 Senior Tour season, a play-off will take place if there is a tie for fifth place at the conclusion of the final round.
McGovern remained in a positive mood after maintaining his position at the top of the leaderboard.
“I hit a couple of loose shots on the front nine, and paid the penalty for that,” said the 51 year old.
“But I know I’m playing okay, so even though I was dropping a couple of shots there was room to come back.
“I had a good run at the start of the back nine and made three back fairly quickly. The way the course is playing, you have par fives that are reachable and you have to make fours on them – if you’re not making them, half the field are.
“I’m still happy. It’s better to be in the lead than go into the final day behind. But tomorrow is a new day.”
Mark Davis, winner of the 2014 Scottish Senior Open, carded a six under par 65 to move to three under par overall and into a share of seventh place after three rounds.
“The third round is a good day to go out there and shoot a score like that,” said the two-time European Tour winner.
“I played solidly today, even with two three-putts out there. It all came together today. There were a few nerves at the start but that’s a good thing I think, getting the adrenaline going.
“Hopefully I’ll go out there and shoot a good score tomorrow. Then we’ll see what happens.”
History was made on the Senior Tour as South Africa’s Callie Swart became the first person to score holes-in-one in consecutive rounds.
He made an ace during the second round on the par three third hole, from 140 yards with a nine iron, and then made a hole-in-one on the par three ninth hole, this time from 167 yards with an eight iron.
“In 2007 I had one at a tournament and I hadn’t had another until yesterday,” said Swart. “I’m battling with my putting at the moment. I hit most of the greens in regulation and then two-putted.
“We joked before the shot on the ninth that we should get the ball in the hole because all of us we’re missing our putts – then I made it again.
“Hopefully something will happen tomorrow – maybe another hole-in-one, but it could get expensive.”
