There’s one thing Mark Foster has in common with his good friend, Lee Westwood.
It’s not that Westwood has won more than 20 titles and earned more than £30m in prize money in Europe alone.
England's Mark Foster sharing the lead heading to the final round of the Johnnie Walker Championship. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Of course, there is a difference in age as the 35-year old Foster is two years younger than Westwood.
Foster has just one Tour title to his credit and that was a play-off success in 2003 Dunhill Championship in South Africa.
If you’re looking for a common thread between Foster and Westwood it is that they both grew up in Worksop in rural Nottinghamshire, and honed their golfing skills at Workshop Golf Club.
Foster carded a third round 68 to share the lead on 11-under par wit Spain’s Ignacio Garrido (69) and three clear of five players at eight under par.
But while the careers of both Foster and Westwood have aken contrasting paths, the duo remain good friends.
“I’ve not seen Lee for a long while but I’m very close to him,” said Foster.
“I’ve grown up with him.
“But we are at different stages in our life. I’ve become a serial runner-up guy. He’s won, I don’t know, he’s won 30-odd tournaments. So you can make comparisons wth that. but there is none really.
“Just the biggest difference for me is I’ve found a different place in my life. Golf is stiall a major priority, but there’s just other things going on with me.”
Spain's Ignacio Garrido contemplates a first win since 2003. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Foster, who capped his round by chipping-in for eagle at the ninth, is contesting his 283rd European Tour event, and like any of those in contention, the now London-based player, would dearly love to win.
And moreso after recently putting himself into contention for victory in this year’s Spanish Open, BMW Internatonal Open and the following week’s French Open.
“I should have won the Spanish but I’ve learnt from it and gone on,” he said.
“I got in the lead in Germany, but going out on Saturday, I didn’t give myself a chance to win, so that was frustrating. I had an unbelievable chance and it didn’t go my way.
“But if someone was to ask me, am I going to win tomorrow? I have no idea. Do I want to win? Of course I do.”
Garrido also is looking to end an eight year winless drought after capturing the 2003 ‘flagship’ PGA Championship at Wentworth.
The 39-year old had four birdies in his round and very much like Foster, he also has his reasons for not adding further success.
“Every case is different as the are many reasons why players go without winning,” said the unshaven Spaniard.
“In my case, I had a couple of years after winning at Wentworth which were difficult, personallyand game-wise.
“My head was not into the game. And then when I tried to come back, it has not been that easy. It is a very hard game if you have not got everthing in shape. It’s also very hard to get out there.
“But compared to when I won at Wentworth, I am a much more solid golfer. Though we all know what this game is like because you can say you are playing well, and the next thing you are 10-over par.”
A final hole birdie for a round of 71 Peter Lawrie also in contention for victory.
Lawrie shares third place with Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn (71) American Anthony Kang (69), Austrian Briend Wiesberger (68).
And Lawrie will remember Garrido also led going into the final round of the 2008 Spanish Open when the Dubliner came from five back to defeat the Madrid golfer in a play-off.
Scottish hopeful Stephen Gallacher birdied three holes in succession near the end of his round of a 67 for a seven under par total.
But while Gallacher will be out vying for contention, Tournament Chairman, Colin Montgomerie has the honour of teeing off first after a third round worse score of 77 for a four over par tally.
has not reaped the rich rewards enjoyed by Lee Westwood.
However Foster is in position to achieve a first over Westwood and that is to capture the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
Foster, 36 posted a third round 68 to be tied with Spain’s Ignacio Garrido (69) for an 11 under tally as he seeks also to win for only a second occasion in some 280 Tour events over the past decade.
And while Westwood has won more than £30m in Europe alone, Foster’s quietly confident of reminding Worksop of his own talent.
“Lee and I are very close friends but then we are at very different stages of our lives,” said Foster.
“I have become a serial runner-up and Lee’s won 30 odd tournaments. but then I have a different place in my life with golf, still my major priority.
“However if you were to ask me who’s going to win tomorrow I wouldn’t know but if you were to ask me if I wanted to win, of course I do.”
The former 2003 Dunhill Championship winner capped his round with an eagle three at the ninth where Foster chipped-in from 15-feet.
Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal, who duelled five extra holes with Sergio Garcia to win this year’s BMW International Open, is well placed at eight under par.
Also at eight under par is Ireland’s Peter Lawrie (71), Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn (71) American Anthony Kang (69), Austrian Briend Wiesberger (68).
Scottish hope Stephen Gallacher birdied three holes in succession near the end of his round of a 67 for a seven under par total.
But while Gallacher will be out vying for contention, Tournament Chairman, Colin Montgomerie has the honour of teeing off first after a third round worse score of 77 for a four over par tally.
