Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts leads a European Tour event going into the final round for the first time after opening up a two stroke advantage over the field in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
Colsaerts birdied the last for a five under par 67 and 54 hole total of 208, eight under par. That left the 22 year old two ahead of England’s Richard Bland and Italy’s Emanuele Canonica with Bradley Dredge of Wales and Ireland’s Damian McGrane a further shot back.
Colsaerts turned professional on November 14, 2000, on his 18th birthday and three days before the start of the Qualifying School Final Stage at San Roque in Spain. He then went on to successfully pass the six round examination, leading at halfway, to become the second youngest player to win his card through the School.
Five years on and he remains one of the youngest players on Tour but is starting to find a new maturity which is standing him in good stead.
“It is not easy to get on Tour when you are 18,” he said. “Everyone looks at you and thinks who is this young kid on Tour, especially a Belgian. But they have been five great years so far.”
Regarding his round of six birdies and just the one dropped shot, Colsaerts added: “I got off to a good start and got lucky with a couple of bad tee shots early on. And I didn’t miss any irons shots today. I hit a lot of greens. Just wanted to hit greens and two putt rather than go at pins. I was really patient which is not one of my biggest strengths. I must be getting old.”
Bland is looking for a double celebration with victory being the perfect present for his forthcoming wedding in two week’s time. But first he must overcome his putting woes which are causing him problems from around the four foot range. His round started poorly when he three putted from four feet made amends with five birdies and an eagle on the 12th on his way to a 68 and six under par total of 210.
His 54 hole total was matched by Canonica after the Italian shot 69 while Dredge and McGrane continued their strong run of form by both shooting 69 to stay very much in the hunt for the title.
