Kevin Stadler of the USA extended his lead over home favourite Angel Cabrera at the Abierto Visa de la Republica presented by Bridgestone, posting a third round of three under par 67 at the Jockey Club Buenos Aries to go into the final round with a three shot advantage.
Stadler got his third round off to flying start and a perfect finish with two birdies at his opening two holes of the day and then another birdie at the 18th. In between those highlights, the American picked up a further two birdies and two bogeys as he finished the round with an eight under par aggregate score of 202.
He leads Cabrera by three, the BMW Championship holder having produced a third round of 68 that, like Stadler’s, included a birdie three to finish off the day.
Stadler, who finished 168th on the 2005 PGA Tour Money List, said: “I played very well once again and I feel that I’m very close to winning the tournament. But there are 18 holes left to play and that’s a lot on this course, especially if you have a player of Cabrera’s status right behind you.”
Cabrera was pleased with his effort, but he will need to play brilliant golf in order to win tomorrow. “He is obviously going to feel the pressure, but so do I. The runner-up spot doesn’t mean anything to me, I have to win,” commented Cabrera, winner of this event back in 2001 and 2002.
With Hernan Rey a further two strokes behind Cabrera after a third round of level par 70, it looks likely to be a two way battle for the opening event of the 2006 European Challenge Tour season between Stadler and Cabrera.
