Welshman Stephen Dodd will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Senior Italian Open Presented by Villaverde after carding a seven under par round of 64.
Dodd, who made his over-50s bow at the Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex in July, is nine under par at Golf Club Udine after his round which included seven birdies and an eagle.
The 50 year old could become the ninth player in history to win on the European Challenge Tour, European Tour and Senior Tour, following in André Bossert and Paul Eales’ footsteps after their victories earlier this year.
Dodd won the 1992 Bank Austria Open on the Challenge Tour and secured his biggest purse at the 2003 Porsche European Open, his third European Tour title.
“I’m pleased with that,” said Dodd. “I played okay on the front nine but made a few silly mistakes. But then it all clicked and I had a good back nine.
“We can attack the flags out there and it gives us a chance to score low. I putted well today. If your score is low, it’s usually the putter that does that.
“I’ve been adjusting and adapting to situations. It’s all new to me and I’m still learning but I’m settling in nicely.”
Joining Dodd in tomorrow’s final group will be compatriot and former Welsh amateur partner Phillip Price.
Price, who turned 50 on Friday, the day of the first round in Northern Italy, carded a bogey-free 64 to take a share of second place.
Should the Welshman take home the title, he would become the youngest winner in Senior Tour history at 50 years and two days old.
“I played lovely today, seven birdies and no bogeys,” said Price. “Two solid nines. I was three under going out, and then I played lovely on the back nine.
“I perhaps felt a little more comfortable today, there was a lot of fuss yesterday. I didn’t come here playing that well, but today was great.”
Englishman Simon P Brown will round out the last group, as he joins Price in a share of second place. The three-time Senior Tour winner carded a three under par round of 68, and made a crucial bogey save on the 18th hole to stay level with Price.
“I played tee to green very well and holed a couple of putts,” said Brown. “I pitched one in, which was nice. But it’s actually quite tricky out there. All in all, I’m happy.
“My putt on the last was very important because my first putt was a bit of a clanger. It would have been a big mistake taking a double on the last.”
Magnus P Atlevi and Bossert, winners this year at the Paris Legends Championship and Travis Perkins Masters respectively, are tied for fourth place on six under par, and Barry Lane and Cesar Monasterio share sixth place a shot further back.
