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Justin walters
Andrew Redington / Getty Images
Justin walters stayed on track to an inaugural European Tour title at the UK Championship, but two-time Major winner Martin Kaymer made his mark on the third day at The Belfry.
South African Walters, looking to complete a cable-to-cable victory after taking command with a staggering 64 start on Thursday, loaded a three-under-par 69 to reach 12-under and lay two from Kaymer, who jumped through the field with an exciting 66.
“I ran away last year through the skin of my teeth to keep my card. I came out with great intentions to fix the inconsistency and I really thought I’d make some ground this year,” Walters said after his round.
Walters, who was runner-up three times on the European Tour, and two of those results came in Portugal to keep his card, made a perfect start with a birdie from 20 feet in the first.
The 39-year-old won more shots in the fifth, seventh and 14, on either side of a shot to the ground in the 11, to double his nighttime lead.
“It would be huge (to win), no lie about it,” Walters said.
“Now I am 39 years old, you wonder how many opportunities you will have to carry on with all the young people who are arriving. Maybe, like a good red wine, I will improve with age, but I don’t know, it would be good. Take advantage of it tomorrow.”
Kaymer moved on to second place alongside Frenchman Benjamin Herbert as the German seeks his first European Tour victory since his sweeping US Open victory at Pinehurst.
It has been 2,268 days since the 35-year-old claimed his second Major title by an eight-stroke margin, and he has taken up the challenge of being in the fight once again on an iconic golf course.
The English couple Marcus Armitage and Laurie Canter, the Spanish Jorge Campillo and the Danish Rasmus Hojgaard share fourth to seven under par: five shots from the front and three drifting from Kaymer and Hebert.
Leading scores after the third round of the European Tour UK Championship at the Belfry on Saturday (GBR / IRL unless noted, par 72):
204 – Justin Walters (RSA) – 64-71-69
206 – Martin Kaymer (GER) 68-72-66, Benjamin Hebert (FRA) 67-69-70
209 – Marcus Armitage 70-68-71, Laurie Canter 71-73-65, Jorge Campillo (ESP) 69-73-67, Rasmus Hojgaard (DEN) 73-69-67
210 – Marcus Kinhult (SWE) 68-74-68, Bryce Easton (RSA) 72-68-70, Min Woo Lee (AUS) 71-71-68
211 – Craig Howie 68-72-71, Joachim B. Hansen (DEN) 71-71-69, Andy Sullivan 70-72-69, Ryan Fox (NZL) 71-67-73, Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) 67-71 -73
– Compiled by Sport24 staff
