Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello has drawn level with snail-like American Luke Guthrie on day three of the BMW Masters in Shanghai.
‘Rafa’ carded a flawless five under par 67 to join Guthrie atop of the leader board on eight-under par in sunnier but still windy conditions on the Lake Malaren course.
The two-time European Tour winning Spaniard birdied the first two holes of his third round and kept that momentum going with birdies at the seventh, 11th and 17th holes before a superb sand-save for par at the last.
“Really happy to keep playing good and happy, also, to put a good round together and be in contention tomorrow,” said Cabrera-Bello,
“I started with two birdies today, which was good. It gave me confidence straightaway, and then I just stayed calm, one shot at a time, and today it worked.
“I’m happy, I’m proud, I’m confident and I’m enjoying the tournament so far, so hopefully tomorrow I can keep those feelings and take them on to the golf course with me, go out there, play my best and enjoy.”
Guthrie led by four at the halfway stage of the first event of The Race to Dubai’s Final Series, and held the same margin when he chipped in for birdie at the eighth.
The 23 year old Illinois golfer nick-named T Rex left fans and his playing partners again frustrated given the amount of time he is taking to play his shots. Guthrie was singled out for a slow play warning at this year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill and has come under the watchful eyes of European Tour officials.
However Chief Referee John Paramor, while aware of complaints about Guthrie’s time-consuming manners, declared his last group three ball was never out of position.
“Luke was never timed as he was always in position and it just unfortunate today as it was slow everywhere on a very, very difficult golf course,” said Paramor.
“So as he was never out of position we can’t do anything about it until he gets out of position. But then I feel confident if we did put Guthrie on the clock he certainly would speed up.
“But then the strange thing was that his manager came up to me to introduce himself and remarked ‘Oh, you must know Luke. He’s a slow player'”.
Guthrie was oblivious to any concern and remains in the front seat and staring at winning on the European Tour in his first regular Tour event.
“At the beginning the week, if I was tied going into the fourth round tied for the lead, I’d have taken it,” said the World Number 85.
“As today went it was a little frustrating. When I made a couple birdies, I seemed to step on my own foot a few times. Like at 18, I didn’t hit my greatest shot obviously, but wish I didn’t have to chip it on the green to get it close.
“Overall I was hitting it well, putting well, and just let a few shots get away toward the end and that’s never fun really. I’m tied for the lead going into tomorrow and I’m excited.”
