Irish Open: Aaron Rai, one ahead in bid for second win on European Tour Golf news

Watch the final round live on Sunday from 1.30pm on Sky Sports Golf

4:15

Paul McGinley and Rob Lee recall the best of the action from the third round of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort

Aaron Rai has a one-shot advantage over Maverick Antcliff heading into the final round of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

Rai mixed five birdies with three bogeys on his way to a three-under 67 at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort, taking him to eight under and with a narrow lead over his playing partner and 36-hole co-leader.

Jazz Janewattanond, the top-ranked player left on the field after Shane Lowry’s missed cut, sits two strokes back in a tie for third with Dean Burmester and Oscar Lengden of Sweden, with Toby Tree one more shot off the beat alongside Lucas Herbert. .

Jazz Janewattanond posted a four low 66 on Saturday

“I am satisfied with the round in general,” Rai said. “The field doesn’t play easy, even in easy conditions today, and it’s always a bit different to come out in the final group and be a co-leader. It was nice to be able to play with that and play relatively freely and play solid today.”

Antcliff was one of 27 players who returned early to complete their second rounds, following weather delays on Friday, where the Australian recorded birdies at 11 and 13 before canceling back-to-back bogeys from 14 by touching par five at the end. .

Maverick Antcliff finished tied for ninth at the Portuguese Open last week

The world number 297 briefly moved to absolute advantage by making a long-range birdie from the edge on the first hole of his third round, where Rai dropped a shot, with Antcliff bogeying the next and then matching the win. of Rai in the third.

Rai followed a birdie in the sixth by making a 20-foot shot in the next, while Antcliff bogey in the sixth but fell back alongside the Englishman with consecutive birdies around the corner.

1:40

Rai reflects on his 67 in the third round at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and assesses his hopes of registering a second European Tour title

After bogeying on the 11th, Rai rolled from 15 feet on the next par three and waved the flag on his approach to 15 on his way to another birdie, while Antcliff hit his tee shot within tap range at 14 but lost. his share of the lead with a bogey at 16.

Rai closed his round with consecutive pairs, as Antcliff raced up and down from the 17th green and made a clutch putt to save par at the last and ensure he would be in the final group again on Sunday.

Janewattanond briefly held a piece of the lead after playing his ten holes on five under, before responding to back-to-back blemishes on the 16t by taking a shot at the final par five, with Lengden matching his total and also remaining within two of the advantage after his birdie-birdie finish.

Rikard Karlberg is in the group at three under par after scoring a 65 in the day’s round, while Robert Rock, who was a shot from half, escaped contention despite finishing his third round of 78 with two consecutive goals back birds.

Who will win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open? Watch the final round live on Sunday starting at 1.30 pm on Sky Sports Golf.

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