England’s Mark Foster is hoping stay on his horse and ride to victory in the BMW International Open in Munich.
England's Mark Foster hoping for first win in over seven years. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
It’s been seven years since Worksop’s ‘other golfer’ tasted success when he landed victory in the Dunhill Championship in South Africa.’
Since then the 35-year old has managed to earn nearly Euro 3m in prize money courtesy of three third place results and four other top-10s.
Foster put himself in position for victory with a sizzling six under par 66 to the lead five players by two shots on the Nord Eichenried course.
“I am old enough to know what’s exactly ahead tomorrow,” said Foster.
“I know all the stuff. It’s bittersweet, you’re in the lead, you’re two-thirds of the way there, but I’ve been on both sides.
“I’ve had the ecstasy of winning and the horrible feeling when it goes wrong and you’re flying home not a winner.
“But that feeling, it’s the reactions to that feeling, and you either want to get back on the horse or you stay off it.
“So I want to stay on the horse and not for stuff to go wrong.”
Garcia will face a stiff challenge from the five players sharing second place at 12-under par including the Spanish duo of Sergio Garcia (64) and Pablo Larrazabal (69) along with the South African pair of Retief Goosen (67) and George Coetzee (69) and Londoner and No. 333 world ranked Robert Coles (65).
Coetzee missed a short par putt at the last for bogey while Goosen, who hasn’t won in Europe for four years, capped his round by holing his second shot at the par four, 16th.
“I made a few more putts out there today while eagling 16 and then to birdie the last was a nice way to finish,” said Goosen.
“I’ve had some good memories here in Munich finishing third in 2009 and then lost a play-off to Stenson, as well.
“So, I like the course and hopefully I can go out there tomorrow and shoot a low one.”
England’s Lee Slattery should have finished sharing second had it not been for a ‘mental blank’ at the 16th.
Lee Slattery forced to call penalty on himself. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
He had to call a penalty on himself when he picked up his ball at the 15th thinking a ‘preferred lie’ rule was still in effect when it wasn’t.
Slattery then birdied his closing two holes in a 66 to move to 11-under par.
