Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen admitted it was a ‘weird feeling’ after stretching his lead to seven shots as he targets the Euro 1m first prize cheque in the Turkish Airlines Open at Belek.
Olesen, who dropped a shot at the last, signed for a three under par 68 to move to 18-under on the Regnum Carya course.
The 29-year old London-based Olesen also is seeking a fourth Tour victory and a first since capturing last year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in St. Andrews.
“I’ve never had a seven-shot lead, so that’s why I felt a bit nervous when I went out today, also, because I’ve never been that many shots clear,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a weird feeling, but I know it’s not easy and there’s a bunch of guys there, and it’s possible to shoot a really low one out here.
“So the key remains to stay aggressive tomorrow and keep plugging away.”
Thorbjorn Olesen still standing as tall at the Turkish pines heading to the final round of the Turkish Airlines Open. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)
Olesen capped his round with three birdies in succession from the 14th hole and while he also bogeyed the 10th, the Dane has recorded an eagle, 19 birdies and just three dropped shots over the three rounds of the Euro 6.3m event.
“I thought I played really, really solid except for missing a few short putts there in the middle of the round,” he said.
“I had some great chances for birdie, but when I holed that one on 14, it was very important because I missed quite a few before that.
“So it was nice to see one rolling in and then making a few birdies in a row there, it was very important.
“I felt like I was doing a lot of good things today. I was being aggressive. The pin positions were very difficult today I thought, a lot of back pins, and we were just in-between clubs quite a few times, and it’s very difficult to hit them close then.
“Tomorrow I have to do the same, be aggressive, and see if I can make a few birdies. That’s the key.”
Olesen’s highest pay cheque was Euro 708,000 in winning last year at St. Andrews, and when into the last day leading by three and win by two shots.
And while victory would see Olesen move from 32nd to just outside the top-10 on the Race to Dubai money list, and also lift his European Tour earnings in seven seasons through the Euro 7m barrier, he says it’s ‘not about the money’.
“No, it’s not about the money as this is the Final Series and it’s a massive event and obviously it would be great to win it,” he said.
“There’s still 18 holes left and I really have to stay concentrated out there and stay in my own little zone.”
Four players – American David Lipsky (66), Austrian Bernd Wiesberger (66), China’s Hatong Li (68), Italy’s Matteo Manassero (68) and England’s David Horsey (68) – share second place at a distant 11-under par.
Manassero, 23 is headed for possibly his first top-three finish in over three years since capturing the 2013 BMW PGA Championship, and a fourth Tour title.
But after reaching a high of 25th in the world shortly after that success at Wentworth, the Verona-born Manassero has slumped to be now ranking No. 356.
“I can say being second, one day to go, it’s frustrating because I could have done better today but I’m happy with where I’m standing and we’ll see what happens tomorrow,” he said.
“Thorbjorn is playing great, and if he keeps playing like this, obviously he 110 percent deserves to win this tournament.”
Masters Champion, Danny Willett and the highest ranked played in the field will commence his final round in a distant share of 48th place at two under par.
Willett, who shot a third round 68, needs to finish fifth or higher if he’s to regain the Race to Dubai lead in the absence of the No. 1 ranked Henrik Stenson.
