Golf-Spaniard Martin retains South African Open lead (Reuters)
December 19, 2009
By Richard Asher
PAARL, South Africa, Dec 19 (Reuters) – Spain’s Pablo Martinclosed on a second straight European Tour title after retaininghis lead in the South African Open third round on Saturday.
Martin, who won the opening event of the 2010 European Tourat last week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship, carded an eventfullevel-par 72 to go into the final round one stroke clear ofItalian Edoardo Molinari.
Overnight leader Martin struggled with his swing but made aseries of vital putts to keep his round together.
One particularly fortunate incident came at the par-three12th hole where his ball landed in a water hazard but bouncedoff a rock on to the green and he holed the putt for an unlikelybirdie.
He also saved par at the seventh where his approach shot hita spectator on the head and prevented Martin’s ball from headingtoo far past the green.
Martin’s luck did run out at the eighth and ninth holes,however, as he bogeyed both and he dropped another two shots atthe 14th, but birdies at three of the four par-fives ensured hesalvaged a level-par round.
Molinari moved into second at 10 under par after a 69including seven birdies.
Former South African Open champion James Kingston moved intoa strong position with a 69 to move to nine under par, levelwith Swede Fredrick Andersson Hed and his fellow ScandinavianAnders Hansen.
The South African Open is co-sanctioned by the European Tourand by South Africa’s Sunshine Tour.
(Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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