Garrido remains on course for history in Spain

5/3/2008

Ignacio Garrido remained on course to create European Tour history when he maintained his dominance of the Open de España at the Real Club de Golf de Sevilla.

Leaderboard – RoundThe 33 year old began the day with a four shot lead and had he holed his three foot par putt at the last in the third round, his advantage would have remained the same.

But the winner of the 2003 PGA Championship at Wentworth Club let his effort slip past the cup and he had to settle for a level par 72 for a 15 under par total of 201, three shots clear of fellow Spaniard Miguel Angel Jiménez, who stormed into contention on 12 under par 204 after a fine 67.

However, Garrido is still in the box seat to pen another chapter in golf’s record books. Already there as one of only three father and son combinations to have won on The European Tour International Schedule – Craig/Kevin Stadler and José Maria/Alejandro Cañizares being the other two – should he claim the €333,330 first prize he would elevate that record to a new level.

For no father and son combination have ever won the same event on The European Tour but the Garridos can achieve that should Ignacio win on Sunday, for dad Antonio won the Spanish Open – the first official European Tour event – in 1972, just 19 days after Ignacio was born.

Garrido Jnr gave himself the chance of victory with a steady if unspectacular third round. His only departure from par on the outward half was a birdie at the fifth and his challenge was kept on track turning for home with fine par saving putts at both the tenth and 11th holes.

However a crack appeared on the par five 13th where a pushed drive into the bushes and a penalty drop led to a bogey six. He retrieved the shot with a birdie four at the 16th to restore his four shot lead before the unfortunate ending gave the chasing pack hope.

Leaderboard - Round 3:

1. Ignacio Garrido                   ESP  66 63 72 201 -15
2. Miguel Angel Jiménez          ESP  70 67 67 204 -12
3. Mark Foster                        ENG  70 67 68 205 -11
    Sörren Hansen                   DEN   68 70 67 205 -11
    Marco Ruiz                         PAR  70 66 69 205 -11
6. Martin Erlnadsson                SWE  65 68 73 206 -10
    Peter Fowler                        AUS  70 66 70 206 -10
    Peter Lawrie                        IRL  68 70 68 206 -10
    Andrew McLardy                   SAF  72 65 69 206 -10
    Carlos Rodiles                     ESP  68 68 70 206 -10

Source: European Tour