Howie Seeking Career High As Kaymer Looms Large At The Belfry.

5 years ago by Comments Off on Howie Seeking Career High As Kaymer Looms Large At The Belfry.

Peebles Craig Howie is quietly-confident of securing a best Tour finish and in only his fifth start heading to the final round of the UK Championship at The Belfry.

Howie, 26 posted a one-under par 71 in continuing windy and cold conditions to by lying at five-under and just outside the top-10 in the closing event of the six-tournament ‘UK Swing’.

The Scot has been coached by former Open Champion Paul Lawrie and is now has managed by Lawrie’s 5-Star Sports agency since turning pro at the end of 2018.

And Howie was also leading the field of six remaining Scots thanks to a third round of six birdies, including three in succession from the 14th, along with five bogeys.

Howie said: “It was again difficult out there with the winds gusting and making it difficult to get the clubbing right.

Craig Howie heading for a hopeful European Tour best and also a place in next week’s Andalucia Masters heading to last day at The Belfry

“Overall, I have been playing solid these three rounds with my iron shots not all that bad while my bad shots have been to the middle of the green or missing on the wrong side.

“I had five bogeys that was frustrating but then I am not too far away from a really good finish.

“This is only my fifth European Tour event so it’s exciting and having been a Challenge Tour player last year in my first full season, I didn’t get called-up to play on the main Tour.

“So, I’ve been chuffed at the idea of now playing in five European Tour events and looking forward to seeing what tomorrow brings.”

Howie’s best finish was a fourth place result early in July behind fellow Scot and Austrian Open winner, Marc Warren.

And while not into next week’s Andalucia Masters a top-10 finish at The Belfry would hand Howie a Valderrama tee-time as he continues striving to secure a main Tour card for 2021

South African Justin Walters added a third round 69 and move to a two shot lead at 12-under par.

Biggest threat though will be double Major-winning Martin Kaymer who birdied four of his closing six holes in a six-under par 66 to share second on 10-under par.

“I was hitting the ball fine the last three days, I just needed one of those days where the putter was good and hot. This was one of those days,” said Kaymer.

“This is where I feel comfortable (on the European Tour), where I don’t need to adjust at all. Obviously, I don’t speak my language, but I’ve been out here for 15 years. You see all the players and caddies that you have hung out with for the last 15 years. I don’t want to say family but it’s very close, having as much comfort as possible.

“I’ll play in Spain next week because if it’s in Valderrama you’ve got to go. It’s also one of those weeks here at The Belfry. If we didn’t play at The Belfry I might not have played. The venue is just great.  I’ll play Valderrama and head to the U.S. Open.”

Kaymer, 35 is seeking a 24th pro career win but a first anywhere since capturing the 2014 U.S. Open.

Also on 10-under is Frenchman Benjamin Herbet who signed for a 70.

OTHER SCOTS

Calum Hill (72) – 212;  Stephen Gallacher (68) – 213; Richie Ramsay (70) – 215; Marc Warren (75) – 217;  Liam Johnston (76) – 221;

 

 



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