Matteo Delpodio remained the man to catch after the completion of the delayed third round of the EMC Challenge Open, despite seeing his lead cut to one shot at Olgiata Golf Club.
The Italian has led his home event from the start, at one point opening up a six shot lead over the field, but his level par round of 71 kept him on five under par and allowed Spaniard Borja Virto Astudillo to close the gap with a 69.
Turin-born Delpodio said he was enjoying the strong support he was receiving from the Italian crowds as he hopes to claim his maiden Challenge Tour victory.
“It’s been a long few days, a lot of hours at the golf course,” said the 30 year old. “You need to be very relaxed on the golf course.
“I have a lot of friends following me here and it’s great to see so many people supporting me – also the players, they’ve all been so nice in the past few days. You don’t look at the results but you see the players and friends like you, which is good.
“I had a very hot start to my third round yesterday and was playing very, very well, but this morning was very difficult. The greens were very fast compared to yesterday and I had a few bogeys, but I didn’t feel I was making mistakes and I’m pleased about the score.
“The course is very difficult and I want to keep this rhythm in my long game and see what happens – nothing different in the final round, just stay focused.”
Behind Delpodio and Astudillo, reigning champion Ricardo Gouveia lurks ominously on one under par after a 71 of his own as he bids to become the first successful defending champion on the Challenge Tour since Daniel Vancsik in 2004.
