Brandon Stone continued to impress
on
his professional debut as the third round of the BMW International Open continued after two weather interruptions.
The South African, making his first appearance in the paid ranks after a glittering amateur career in the States, turned in a four under par 32 to reach 11 under at Golfclub München Eichenried.
That was just one behind Ernie Els when the leaders teed off two hours and 20 minutes later than planned, after heavy rain had flooded the course.
South African Els was swiftly joined by Matthew Baldwin when the Englishman birdied the first, but Open champion Els gained a shot at the next to reach 13 under and be one ahead of Baldwin and France’s Alexander Levy.
Stone remained 11 under with three holes of his round to play, and with Els
running
up three fives in a row from the fifth – two of them for bogey – the four-time Major winner was back alongside his younger compatriot.
The pace was taken up by Swede Alex Noren, who turned in 32 to be 13 under, Dane Thomas Björn – who was six under with three to play – and France’s Levy, who was two under through seven.
Dutchman Joost Luiten and American Peter Uihlein were 12 under, while Spain’s Sergio Garcia set the clubhouse target
on
11 under with a 65.
