Eagle Sends Stadler Soaring in Perth

Kevin Stadler was no more than a ‘Walrus’ pup of two years old when his  father, Craig, captured the Masters Green jacket at Augusta National in 1982. Now, nearly a quarter of a century later, the full grown Stadler Junior can emerge from the considerable shadow of his famous dad by landing his first title on The European Tour International Schedule.

The 26 year old from Scottsdale, Arizona, who favours a goatee rather than his father’s trademark walrus moustache which inspired that moniker, holed a ten foot eagle putt on the final hole at The Vines Resort and Country Club to carry a two stroke lead into the last day of the Johnnie Walker Classic.

Stadler holds sway with a 17 under par total of 199, who ahead of halfway leader KJ Choi and the ultra-consistent Australian, Richard Green, who racked up his seventh consecutive round under 70 for a 15 under par aggregate of 201. Tucked in behind are Green’s fellow Aussie left hander, Nick O’Hern, Queenslander Gavin Flint and Italian Francesco Molinari.

The American, who last December won the Centenary Argentine Open in Buenos Aires, refused to look too far into the crystal ball after finding himself in such a strong position going into the fourth round.

“It would be a crazy turn of events (winning) but that’s 24 hours away. Who knows what is going to happen between now and then? I have no idea what I need to win but I am sure it’s going to play tougher – probably something in the region of four or five under par”.

Meanwhile Green, who missed out on a play-off with Tiger Woods and Ernie Els in Dubai last week, could gain swift compensation without having to contend with those two golfing greats. A round of 66 means that Green is an accumulative 33 under par for his last seven rounds and in good shape to locate the winner’s rostrum.

“Things clicked into place in Dubai last week and it’s been continuing from here” he said. “I feel really good mentally and very confident and stable – just how I want to be. I wanted to get myself back into a position where I could use what I learned from last week.

“I really felt I should have won that tournament and I probably let a couple of little things get in the way and it cost me winning. I am pleased to be in contention to win this one.”

Choi and defending champion Adam Scott were the only players in the top 16 not able to break 70 and that cost both dearly, with Choi dropping back into a share of second place with Scott six off the pace on 11 under.

The Korean said: “It was a very bad day. I had trouble with my eyes as I was sweating so much and it was getting into my eyes. I will go back for a rest and give it my best shot in the last round. My swing feels good and I still have a chance to win.”

O’Hern, seeking his first victory on The European Tour in his native State, progressed up the leaderboard with an eight under par 64 which, like Stadler, concluded with an eagle three. After a run of second place finishes, O’Hern is another player reluctant to think too deeply about the consequences of victory. He said: “I’ve learned a lot over the last few years and hopefully I can put that into effect.”