Day three digest: 2020 ISPS HANDA Wales Open

Everything you need to know from the third round at The Celtic Manor Resort.

Soderberg mastered the elements, Syme produced a big finish, Pieters powered into contention and Robert Rock had a mixed bag of fortune on day three of the 2020 ISPS HANDA Wales Open,

Here is everything you need to know from Moving Day at the fifth event of the UK Swing.

Soberberg bubbles to the top

Sebastian Soderberg claimed his first European Tour title in dramatic fashion, taking down Rory McIlroy among others in a five man play-off to win last season's Omega European Masters. His bogey free 68 on Saturday may not have contained that sort of drama but it was no less impressive, as heavy rain and fierce winds made conditions very difficult in Newport. The Swede will take a share of the lead into the final round at seven under. “It’s probably one of the better bogey-free rounds I’ve ever played," he said. "It feels great to be in position, I just try and stay patient. If it’s the same wind tomorrow, it’s so easy for it to just get away from you so every shot is a battle, even in the downwind holes. If you start losing focus it’s easy to make some big numbers. I just need to keep battling shot by shot.”

Syme isn't done yet

Connor Syme has been at the top of the leaderboard after four of his last five European Tour rounds but unfortunately for the Scot the one he missed out on was last Sunday when Sam Horsfield won the Celtic Classic. A closing birdie on Saturday put him in the box seat once again alongside Soderberg and the 25-year-old is relishing another bite of the cherry. "It would be amazing to win having come close last week," he said. "You don’t really know how many times you’ll get those opportunities so it’s another one tomorrow. If it doesn’t happen it’s not the end of the world but hopefully I’m going to play well tomorrow and give myself a chance.”

Parenthood propels Pieters

Thomas Pieters will head into final round four shots off the lead but the big hitting Belgian is confident he has a good chance of claiming European Tour win number five. Mellowed by the arrival of his daughter Florence last month and relishing the potential for more changeable conditions, you'd be a brave person to write off the 2016 Ryder Cup star. "I guess I’m going to blame my daughter," he said. “Maybe being a father has mellowed me a little bit. “I do love those conditions. I much prefer this week to last week, although it’s not always fun when you play in this kind of weather - taking your rain gear off every five minutes. But I enjoy the challenge of it, it’s much nicer than just a birdie-fest or a putting competition. Hopefully it’s going to be windy again and then if you just post a good score anything can happen."

Wacky Welsh weather

They say that you can get four seasons in one day in Scotland but it was UK cousin Wales which was proving changeable on Saturday. At one point, we had fluffy white clouds and blue skies, with the sun casting shadows.

Then we had this.

The to and fro from one to the other tested the field and everyone out there earned their score on day three.

Sebastian swans around

Sebastian Heisele got a fortunate break when he just avoided the water on the third but he soon found another hazard waiting for him. They say a swan can break your arm - well luckily Sebastian did not find out the hard way but he had to negotiate with his feathered friend as he removed a sock and played to the green.

Rocky road for Robert

Robert Rock has been playing this game long enough to know that the golfing gods can both giveth and taketh away. He must have been pretty aggrieved when this happened on the fifth.

And then on the 15th he got a remarkable break from, well, a rock.

We'll call that even.

Sami uses the big ball

The links golf is being played in Scotland this week at the Women's Open but that doesn't mean you can't use the contours here in South Wales. Sami Välimäki admitted his tee shot on the 17th was a little further left than he wanted but after hitting the fringe the ball rolled towards the hole to set up a birdie. Sami heads into round four three off the lead.