Woosnam holds on to narrow lead

Ian Woosnam produced a vintage display to take a one-shot lead going into the final round of the inaugural Wales Open at Celtic Manor. The former world number one was in sparkling form in front of his home fans at Wentwood Hills, racing to the turn in 30 on his way to a six-under-par 66.

That gave him a total of 203, 13 under par, and a one-stroke advantage over Denmark's Steen Tinning, who also carded a 66, with English pair Ian Garbutt and David Howell and Swede Henrik Nystrom on 10 under.

Woosnam is chasing a hat-trick of victories on home soil spanning three decades, a 29th in Europe, and his first since the PGA Championship in 1997.

The 42-year-old said: "I'll be nervous on Sunday but I think the others will be more worried about me than I will about them.

"I have to be very patient and not get upset about one bad shot because I've hit too many good ones and I think I'm due to hole a few putts.

"You tend to get a bit nervous not being up there for a while but the last few weeks have helped me with that, being in with half a chance and getting in contention.

"It's time to enjoy it now, that buzz and excitement and being capable of controlling my swing. I have to keep playing the way I can and not force it and it will be a matter of who holes the putts."

For the front nine on Saturday it was certainly Woosnam doing that, birdies from close range on the first, second, fourth, fifth and eighth followed by one from 45 feet on the ninth.

The 1991 Masters champion could not repeat that performance on the back nine, however, as nine straight pars allowed Tinning to close the gap to just one with his 66.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page