Ballantine’s Championship, Bernd Wiesberger in control @ Blackstone GC, Seoul
Bernd Wiesberger (Getty Images)
The Ballantine’s Championship is just about done and dusted, Bernd Wiesberger is in full control after the third round after shooting another -7 under par round of 65 to lead the tournament at the Blackstone GC, in Seoul, South Korea. Bernd’s magnificent lead is five shots, and total score of -14 under par.
Bernd, who won twice on The Challenge Tour in 2010 and was a runner-up twice on The European Tour last year, said of his round;
“I think that’s what we call a great day at the office. It was fun out there. It was nice conditions again like yesterday, and really nice set up for the course. I enjoyed myself out there, made a lot of putts and that was the key to another perfect day. Out there on the greens I really felt like I saw the lines perfectly today and I putted the ball nicely.,
“It feels like I’m getting into position more often, and played well when I was in those positions in the last half of the year last year. It was a good preparation the last two years, and I hope it pays off tomorrow.”
In second place is Marcus Fraser, the 2010 champion, with a third round score of -3 under par 69 for a tournament total of -9 under par. Bernd would need to fall over badly tomorrow to not win this trophy. Marcus was realistic in assessing his chances tomorrow;
“I felt really comfortable out there, hit a lot of good shots inside 20 feet, and just couldn’t get anything going. I hit putts where I was wanting to hit them, but they just weren’t taking the break. I felt like I was playing chase out there most of the day and trying to keep up. Bernd is playing great , so much game and definitely a star of The European Tour to come. He’s obviously a great player now but he’s got big things in front of him, that’s for sure. It reflects the way he’s playing. He played great here and gives himself a chance on every hole and he’s a great putter, as well. If I was a betting man, I would put the house on him. He’s just played so well and looks very comfortable.”
Everyone else is really fighting for second place, Marcus Fraser is the player closest to the man in form, but five shots over one round is a huge mountain to climb, not impossible in golf, but very unlikely.
Oliver Fisher and Felipe Aguilar are another shot back with a tournament score of -8 under par, but have no realistic chance of catching Bernd.
