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England’s Aaron Rai takes a one-shot lead in the final round of the 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Galgorm Castle Golf Club in Ballymena.
The 25-year-old, who tied for the lead heading into the weekend, did not let an early bogey make him nervous, loading up five birdies and throwing one more hit en route to an impressive round of 67.
He leads by a shot from Australian Maverick Antcliff, who launched himself into the fray after a magnificent second round of 65, which only concluded on Saturday morning, an eagle on the 36th hole that left him tied for the lead in the intermediate stage .
FULL BOARD
The Australian started brilliantly with a birdie in first and third and held the lead through several stages, but misguided driving in the final stretch forced him to fight to ensure he retained second place on his own.
One stroke further back is a trio of players: South Africa’s Dean Burmester, Sweden’s Oscar Lengden and Thai player Jazz Janewattananond, all of whom hit under par rounds, with the latter two scoring 66.
The low round of the day, aside from the first to finish their second round, went to Rikard Karlberg of Sweden, who loaded a five-under-65 to move up to -3 for the tournament.
A total of 17 players are currently below par, as the Co Antrim field, a late replacement for a competition that had originally been arranged for Mount Juliet, has held up well, with crowds restricted to a couple of neighboring farmers and his flock.
Raw – There were some disinterested viewers at the @DDFIrishOpen #RTEGolf #RTESport pic.twitter.com/32dJauObeE
– RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 26, 2020
The now remote prospect of a home winner has been completely vanished by the end of the day with the remaining five Irish players firing in even rounds.
With the highest profile Irish contenders Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington failing to make the cut, it was up to the quintet of James Sugrue, Jonathan Caldwell, Colm Moriarty, Mark Power and Damien McGrane to mount a charge.
‘Today, I don’t think I could have scored worse’ – Irish contingent reflects on difficult and disappointing day at Galgorm @DDFIrishOpen
#RTEGolf #RTESport pic.twitter.com/qouceUyCQH– RTEgolf (@RTEgolf) September 26, 2020
The Cork fan Sugrue, who won the British Amateur last year and played the US Open at Winged Foot last week, was the top contender and the only Irish player to be below par after the first two rounds.
However, on a frustrating day when he couldn’t take advantage of his many opportunities, Sugrue scored a three-over-par round of 73, a score equaled by Caldwell, Morairty and Power.
McGrane, 49, scored a five over par in the round of 75.
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