Richard Bland birdied the last to break clear of a log-jam atop of the leader board and boost hopes of ending a 281 event winless drought in the BMW Italian Open in Turin.
Richard Bland looking to win for a first time on Tour. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
Bland posted a 66 to move to 12-under par and clear of four players in second place on 11-under par – Scotland’s Marc Warren (65), Frenchman Gregory Bourdy (64), Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (65) and South African Garth Mulroy (67).
The 41-year old Bland joined the Tour full time in 2002 when he recorded his still best finish of second in the Scottish Open.
He’s currently ranked 502nd in the world and also 126th on the Race to Dubai.
Bland has also had eight visits to the Tour’s Q-School but earning his card on just four occasions.
However while he’s still yet to win on the Race to Dubai tour, the very popular born Southampton golfer has banked more than Euro 2m.
“It was a strange day today because I birdied the first but then struggled to get anything going,” he said.
“But I then holed a nice putt on the 14th for birdie and then hit it close on 16 for birdie and then birdied the last two.
“I’ve had a couple of tough years, losing my card at the end of last year (finished 162nd on the money list and also 2007 and 2008.
“But there’s still 36 holes to go and right now I’m in a great position.”
