Carlos Rodiles, born and raised on Spain’s Costa del Sol and a resident of his native town, Malaga, forced himself into a strong position to present his supporters with a home victory at Club de Golf Valderrama in the 2003 Volvo Masters Andalucia.
The 25 year old Spaniard had opened up a two stroke lead over long-time leader, Fredrik Jacobson of Sweden after 12 holes of the third round of the rain-delayed tournament which brings down the curtain on The European Tour International Schedule.
Rodiles resumes along with 30 of the 57-strong field at 8.30am on Sunday morning sitting on top of the leaderboard on 11 under par, two clear of Jacobson with the third member of that three-ball, Anders Hansen of Denmark, next on five under par.
Sharing fourth place on three under par are England’s John Bickerton – who holed his eight iron tee shot at the 163 yard sixth along the way – Brian Davis and Greg Owen.
However the birdie battle between Rodiles and Jacobson captured the public’s imagination at Valderrama, which mercifully stayed dry and sunny all day following the torrentials rain and high winds of Friday.
After the second round was completed, Jacobson led the way on 135, nine under par, after adding a 71 to his opening 64 on Thursday. However Rodiles, with a 69, was only two behind and looking dangerous after in inward 31.
In the afternoon, the two golfers exchanged birdies like a pair of Western gunslingers, with Rodiles picking up two shots by the turn, with Jacobson sandwiching four straight birdies in between bogeys at the third and eighth.
Rodiles then took the initiative in the last 45 minutes of play possible before darkness descended on his home territory.
He birdied the tenth and 11th and just narrowly failed with an attempt at the 12th as a penalty stroke cost the Swede a bogey at the tenth and a tugged tee shot resulted in another dropped shot at the 12th before the klaxon sounded to suspend play.
Rodiles said: “It’s been a long day but it’s been fun playing with Freddie. I made a couple of birdies then he made a few. It was a roller coaster of a day – but a roller coaster of quality.
“The crowd were unbelievable out there. Fantastic support, for both of us, actually. Freddie had quite a good Swedish contingent with him. However with 24 holes to go, anybody within six or seven shots can still win. I will just try to keep to my game plan, fairways and greens, and see what happen. If I win it will be fantastic.”
Hansen stuck doggedly to his playing partners to prevent the Volvo Masters Andalucia becoming a two-horse race, but the Dane – who was the last man into the field in 60th place on the Volvo Order of Merit – resumes six strokes behind Rodiles.
Meanwhile Jacobson enjoyed the cut and thrust of the day and paid tribute to the Spaniard, saying: “Carlos played absolutely fantastic today. I played well also but had a little bit of trouble getting up and down. I hung in there and I am still in a good position for tomorrow and I am looking forward to that.”
