Dutchman Joost Luiten will take a one shot lead into the final round as he seeks to win for a second time in three events this month in the Irish Open at Carton House.
Luiten, 27 moved to 13 under par and one clear of Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal and with both players carding bogey-free six under par 66s.
The Bleiswijk-based Luiten captured a second Tour title in a seven-year pro career in capturing the Lyoness Open in Austria and now stands to win a third just two events later.
Dutchman Joost Luien in a good mood leading the Irish Open by a stroke. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
“I have been playing very well the last two tournaments as I was also 10th in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth after win in Austria,” he said.
“So tomorrow I will try to do the same and if so, hopefully it may be good enough to win the trophy.
“There is still a lot of golf to be played, and it’s all a matter of staying patient.”
With Ireland’s four Major winners in Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke failing to make the halfway cut, Luiten says there will be no less pressure as he strives for success.
“You really can’t worry about who is behind you on the leader board as the key for me will be trying to get some early birdies to help set up a good score.
“So I am not bothered who is behind me.
“I won earlier this month in Austria and that is always good to get under your belt as it just makes things a little easier, and it also makes you strive that little bit more for the win when you’ve got a recent victory in the bag.
“So I’ve got nothing to lose and that’s how I am going to approach the final round.”
Larrazabal also is a two-time Tour winner but the 30-year old Barcelona-born player’s last success was two years ago in the BMW International Open in Munich.
“I had a lovely day in the office today with the Irish crowds truly awesome,” he said.
“I’m playing good. I didn’t play as good the last three months, so I feel I am hitting the ball good and will now fight for the tournament. I hope tomorrow I can hit the ball as good as these three days and hole as many putts.”
England’s Robert Rock (71) is in third place on 10-under par and still within sight of making amends to losing out in play-off for the 2009 Irish Open.
Two players, England’s Paul Casey (67) and rookie Scotland-born Scott Henry (69) are tied in fourth place on nine under par.
Six other players share sixth place on eight under par including former Irish Open winner, Jose Maria Olazabal (71) who is looking to end an eight year Tour victory drought.
However last year’s victorious European Ryder Cup captain again struggled with the driver.
“Well, it’s just a shame as the leaders are running away, and they are just too far, and it was another bad day off the tee again,” he said.
“The driver cost me big again. I only three fairways today, and it’s very, very difficult to score when you do that.”
Olazabal, 47 is looking to become the oldest winner of the event and 23 years after winning at Portmarnock.
