Renato Paratore poured in a birdie putt at the last to shoot 5-under 66 and take a one-stroke lead heading into the final round of the European Tour’s Betfred British Masters.
The 23-year-old Italian turned in a spotless card for the third-straight day at Close House in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England. Paratore, seeking his second European Tour title, birdied the par-5 seventh hole for the third straight round and peppered the flag at the par-3 12th hole for another birdie to maintain a one-stroke advantage over Justin Harding.
“I played really solid these three days, especially the short game which has helped me save some shots when I needed them, so I’m happy with that,” Paratore said. “Fortunately I live in Dubai with my friend who is also on the European Tour and we played a lot of competitive rounds with each other after lockdown. I think this helped me to stay competitive.”
The South African Harding eagled the par-5 10th hole en route to matching Paratore’s 66. The low round of the day belonged to England’s Sam Horsfield, who signed for 61. The 23-year-old Horsfield, still searching for his first European Tour victory, was limping along at 2-under par through 36 holes and wasn’t doing much better in the third round. He was just 1 under through his first six holes when he made the first of three eagles on the par 5s.
“I felt like the first two days I was maybe pushing a bit too hard as I haven’t played a tournament in four months,” Horsfield said. “I spoke to a few friends last night, FaceTimed a few people, and they said: ‘Dude just go out there and play like you were playing at home; it’s the same.’ So that’s what I tried to do and I think it worked.”
Horsfield enters the final round trailing by four.
