The Argentine trio of Cesar Monasterio, Miguel Rodriguez and Andres Romero share the lead of 15 under par 201 at the European Challenge Tour’s Abierto Telefonica Moviles de Guatemala. England’s James Hepworth is the leading European contender with 18 holes to play at the Hacienda Nueva Country Club.
Hepworth, who led the tournament for the first two days, is just one shot behind the Argentines after a one under par 71 left the Englishman with a three round aggregate of 14 under 202.
Another Englishman, David Dixon, is a further stroke back in a tie for fourth place with defending champion Daniel Vancsik of Argentina, with David Higgins of Ireland and Scotland’s Marc Warren also well in contention having joined Paraguay’s Angel Franco and Jose Trauwitz of Mexico on 12 under par.
Challenge Tour Member Monasterio has displayed the consistency that made him a European Tour player last season throughout the 2005 Abierto Telefonica Moviles de Guatemala.
The 41 year old carded his third successive 67 to join Rodriguez and Romero on 15 under, and insisted that the last thing he will be doing during the final round is checking the whereabouts of his playing partners on the leaderboards spread across the 7043 yard, par 72 Hacienda Nueva CC.
“It is very close,” said Monasterio, who sank a good 12 foot putt on the 18th green to get into a tie for first position. “If you look at the scoreboard you cannot play golf. The key is not to look at it, and play your game.”
Rodriguez found himself falling behind the leaders during the early stages of round three but saw his fortunes turn with a birdie at the sixth before draining a monstrous 60 foot birdie putt on the eighth green.
“Everyone around me started making birdies on the first few holes,” said the 31 year old. “I couldn’t make any birdies, but I was calm. I found one on the 6th then the 60-footer was just unbelievable. I putted just to get it close the hole and it went in. It made me very happy, because I hadn’t made a putt like that over the last year.”
Romero’s 64 was the lowest score of the day, and coupled with his second round 63, gave the 23 year old a formidable 17 under par total for his last 36 holes after he opened the tournament with a 74.
“I got my confidence back with the great round I had yesterday,” said Romero. “I had a very good 64 today, which allowed me an unexpected tie for the lead and I am looking forward to the final round.”
With 20 players within five shots of the lead, the Abierto Telefonica Moviles de Guatemala is sure to come to an intense climax.
