Scotland’s Peter Whiteford continued his fantastic form at the Ireland Ryder Cup Challenge with a third round 69 that took him to 15 under par and gave him a five shot lead going into Sunday’s final round at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club.
The 24 year old from Kirkcaldy stamped his dominance on the event to establish that five shot lead from his fellow countryman Marc Warren and Austrian Martin Wiegele as he looks to close out his maiden European Challenge Tour victory in the Republic of Ireland.
After a blistering start to week from Finland’s Roope Kakko, who established a course record of nine under par 63 in the first round, Whiteford has been the man to watch. His performance over the first 54 holes has been nothing short of extraordinary, a fact that is borne out by glancing at his statistics for the first three rounds.
Seventeen birdies, 35 pars and just two dropped shots, which came on the 16th hole and 18th holes during the third round – his 52nd and 54th holes of the tournament – tells the story simply and emphatically.
His third round got off to a great start, picking up shots on the second and third holes before further birdies on the seventh, 11th, and 15th ensured that he would go into the final round in a great position to secure that first Challenge Tour win.
“I’m a bit annoyed to have dropped two shots in the last three holes but I would have taken a five shot lead going into the final round at the start of the week,” said Whiteford
His third round got off to a great start, picking up shots on the second and third holes before further birdies on the seventh, 11th, 15th and ? ensured that he would go into the final round in a great position to secure that first Challenge Tour win.
“I’m a bit annoyed to have dropped two shots in the last three holes but I would have taken a five shot lead going into the final round at the start of the week,” said Whiteford.
“I three putted the 16th from about 60 feet and then pushed my approach to the 18th and didn’t get up and down for par. I must have missed from just inside ten feet for par, but as I said I would have taken this position at the start of the week.
“I don’t really have a number to shoot in mind for tomorrow. I usually watch the leaderboards so I will be looking around to see what the guys behind me are doing and then seeing what I have to do.
“You can play defensive or aggressively on this course so a lot will depend on what other people are doing. A five shot lead is good to have going into the last day and unless I shoot millions then someone will have to go very low to win. I would say two or three under par tomorrow would give me a great chance.”
While Whiteford’s continued excellence in all aspects of his game was the most important factor in him soaring clear of the field, he was also helped by the fact that his closest challengers at the start of the day made no real headway during round three, allowing the Scot to put some daylight between himself and the rest of the field.
Indeed, Wiegele made the biggest move from ninth to tied second with a four under 68, while Warren and Lucas, Whiteford’s closest challengers at the start of the day, carded respective scores of 72 and 74.
It will take a seriously low score to beat Whiteford, but as Kakko proved during the first round that is possible if the conditions allow.
