Little known Daniel Brooks shook off a first hole wrist injury on day three to maintain the lead in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Gullane.
Brooks, 28 jarred his right wrist in playing a shot from rough at the first hole on route to a one under par 69 to move to 12-under par.
However the 528th world ranked Londoner found himself one behind in taking a double bogey at the first before birdies at five, eight and nine restored his position atop of the board.
Brooks arrived in Scotland having missed the halfway cut in 15 of the 19 events he’s contested this year including a run of 13 in succession from late mid-January through to a fortnight ago.
Now last year’s Maderia Islands Open champion is staring now not only at the biggest prize cheque of his eight-year pro career, along with a two-year Tour exemption plus a start next month in the States, but a place in next Thursday’s starting Open Championship at St. Andrews and what also will be a maiden Major appearance.
Londoner Daniel Brooks maintains his lead on day three of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. (Photo – www.europeantour.com).
“I know what lays ahead should I win tomorrow but I am going to go out there and continue what I have been doing this past three days,” he said.
“So at the end of the days I will wait to see what happens. I know it could all be life changing but I will try not to think about it.”
Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin is just a shot back with the 41-year old Lyon-born golfer posting the lowest score on day three, a six under par 64, as he not only strives for a fifth Tour title but a place also in The Open should he be among the top-three inside the top-10 otherwise not exempt.
“I have worked very hard to be in this position, so I am happy but while it’s easy to say to the key is to have fun, the last three months have not been fun at all,” he said to reporters.
And of the four titles Jacquelin has captured each have been an ‘Open’ title including his last victory in the 2013 Open de Espana.
Three players – American Ricky Fowler (66), Dutchman Joost Luiten (66) and England’s Tommy Fleetwood (67) – share third place at 10-under par.
Between them they have eight victories but with Fowler coming off his recent Players Championship and looking now to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Phil Mickelson who captured the 2013 Scottish Open and a week later lifting the Open Championship Claret Jug.
“Seeing what Phil did two years ago and my decision to come over last year and also this year, as well, it definitely makes sense to play here the week before The Open,” Fowler said to reporters.
“Just getting acclimated and also to play on a links course and getting the game ready, and just getting a few things straightened out the week prior.
“So definitely playing the Scottish Open last year had an influence on the way I played at The Open. I had a good finish at the Scottish Open and then went on to finish runner-up with Sergio (Garcia)”.
A further three players share sixth place at nine under par including the PGA Tour based duo of American Matt Kuchar (67) and Scotland’s Russell Knox (66).
Knox replaced the injured World No. 1 Rory McIlroy in next week’s Open Championship.
Mickelson, who had just one birdie but also a bogey in a score of 70, to share 57th place at three under par.
