Sweden’s Johan Axgren put himself in a great position to make European Challenge Tour history at the Peugeot Challenge R.C.G. El Prat, carding a third round 70 to move to nine under par 207, and give himself a two stroke lead going into final round. Should Axgren win on Sunday afternoon, it will be his third victory on the 2006 Schedule, and will see him win instant promotion to The European Tour.
The 31 year old leads Spain’s Ivo Giner by two, with his countryman Jesus Maria Arruti, Scotland’s David Drysdale and Englishman Lee Slattery a further stroke back after respective third round scores of 70, 71 and 72.
Axgren’s third round started poorly with a bogey at the first hole, but he responded immediately with a birdies on the second and fourth. He dropped another shot on the fifth after failing to get up and down but hit back with a further two birdies on the ninth and then the 18th.
“I played much the same as I did yesterday,” said Axgren. “I had two bad chips and they cost me two shots. My start wasn’t exactly what I had planned – I bogeyed the first but I got the shot back right away at the second which was important.
“I am pleased with the score overall. The birdie on the last was nice because I hadn’t really threatened to pick up any more shots after the birdie on the ninth, so it was nice to finish with a birdie.”
The Swede is in a fantastic position to secure what will be his third victory of the season, and, if he can add the Peugeot R.C.G. El Prat to the Kai Fieberg Costa Rica Open 2006 and Tusker Kenya Open titles he won in February and March.
Under the Challenge Tour Regulation introduced in 2004, any player winning three official tournaments in the same season is automatically promoted to The European Tour for the remainder of the season in which the wins take place, and for the next full season.
Axgren is well aware of the reward on offer to him if he can finish the job on Sunday afternoon, but he does not feel any extra pressure going into the final round.
“I’m in good shape and I don’t think there is any added pressure on me to go out and win – certainly not any more than at any other tournament. I can definitely do it. When I won in Costa Rica this year I came from behind on the last day and won a play-off, and in Kenya I led from the start f the week and took a two shot lead into the final round, just like I will tomorrow.”
Giner will lead the chasing pack trying to prevent what would be a momentous achievement for Axgren. If the Spaniard can repeat his third round performance at the testing Real club de Golf El Prat, he will have every chance of securing the third Challenge Tour victory of his career in his hometown of Barcelona.
Despite nursing an injured finger, Giner put together seven birdies and just a single dropped to come home in six under par 66.
“I played steady today, I putted well but also missed a few chances,” said Giner. “But I am happy because I started the day with a sore thumb and that could have affected me, but the physio did a great job and I played without pain. I will be looking for the same again tomorrow on the course – if I can have another 66 then I will have a chance.”
