Mark Foster survived a double bogey finish on the 18th hole at The Belfry to shoot 69 and retain the Quinn Direct British Masters lead by two strokes from six players lurking close to his ten under par 206 total.
France’s Gregory Bourdy shot a best of the day seven under par 65 to move up into second spot, where he is joined by Swedish trio Fredrik Andersson-Hed, Niclas Fasth and Martin Erlandsson, while England’s Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood are also in the hunt on eight under par 208.
Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie is another of the big names challenging, after a third consecutive round of 70 left him on six under par 210.
Foster admitted his double bogey on the last was a nasty blemish on his score-card, but he was happy with the way got up and down from a difficult position after his fourth shot came up short and span back down the notoriously sloping, three-tiered 18th green.
“The second shot in was disappointing and I take full responsibility,” he said. “It was a three iron shot and I decided to hit a little wood from a tight lie and found the water. With hindsight, i’d have gone with the three-iron, but there we go.”
Yet he preferred to dwell on the positive of his eight foot putt on the last to preserve his advantage.
“The putt on the last proved that I kept my focus and it was nice to knock it in. It gave me a two shot lead ultimately and it gives me a good mental image to take away and leave the day with.”
Foster’s three under par 69 sent him into unchartered territory. The Worksop professional has never led going into the final day before – but it is a new experience he is going to take on fully come the final 18 holes.
“I didn’t look at the leaderboards today and didn’t realise I had a four shot lead on the last, or the position I was in. My mental focus is something I’ve been working on, because it’s not been strong enough for four rounds often enough. As you saw today though, I don’t have a problem with being around good scores and players.
“It would be great to win, but it’s a long way from my mind at the moment. I’ll take the positives from today and look forward to coming out here tomorrow.”
His fellow Worksop resident and friend, Westwood, admitted he almost threw away his position in the field after enduring a litany of missed putts and getting more and more frustrated.
“It was a test of my patience out there. I did lose my concentration and got frustrated after the horseshoe out on the 13th hole, and then made a bad swing on the 14th tee. It’s not good getting frustrated because the putts aren’t going in, as it will cost you shots. It very nearly did today but I was just able to regroup and got the reward of three birdies in the last four holes.”
Westwood has had three top ten finishes in his last three events, and feels he is close to claiming his second win of 2007.
“I’m getting closer to the winning habit. I wouldn’t have finished with three birdies in the last four holes three weeks ago. Today, I did that and did it at the right time, so I think I am getting the habit back.
“Am I the favourite? No. There are a lot of good players up there – Monty, Fasth, Poulter – all have proved they can win. Mark I’ve known all my life, so I know what he’s capable of. It’ll be an exciting day for everybody. If I was going to the bookmakers tomorrow morning, I’d be betting on one person – but then I’m biased!”
He continued: “It’s going to be a fight tomorrow. Someone will come out and shoot 67 and that will do it. I’m playing well and my short game is good, but I just have to have the mental attitude and approach I had on the last four holes, and not the first 14.”
Bourdy was delighted with his 65. He said: “It was a lovely day. A 65 on this course is very good. With the eagle on 17, it was fantastic and I had a big par on the 18th for my 65, so I am very happy.
“I watched France beat Ireland in the rugby World Cup last night, of course. It was a good game and maybe it’s helping me to play well today, and maybe tomorrow as well!
“I’ve had three top 10s this year, in South Africa, Madeira and in Spain, and a few 15th places, but of course, I would very much like to win. I arrived here this week very happy with my golf. For the last few months I have been very happy with my game, especially my long game, but my putting was not very good. But it’s coming back, which is why I shoot 65 today.”
He added: “I like The Belfry. It’s the first time I have played here. When it’s windy, like it was yesterday, it is very difficult, so I am very happy to shoot 65 today. It’s nice to see my name up on the leaderboard. I am happy to chase. I would prefer to have a big lead of 10 strokes, but this is not possible. But it’s a good position to start from tomorrow. I shall look forward to it.”
Ian Poulter, who had two double bogeys on the front nine to go out in 38, but who hit back with a 32 coming home to shoot a 70, said of his prospects: “There are other winners out there but how I felt today was as nice and burning inside as I have felt for a long time. It felt good and I was happy to play golf.
“When you keep hitting to 12 feet – I had seven birdie putts from that distance – you want to keep playing. I am aggressive and looked at every pin today. I am good enough to play at every pin. Keep doing what I am doing and I will have 15 birdie putts tomorrow. Take a few of them and who knows.”
Sweden’s Fasth posted three birdies in a row over the last three holes in his 67, and he said of a potential win: “That would be lovely. Firstly I am pleased to be back in contention after my pretty disastrous first round of 75. I want to have one more win under my belt this year and if I do I will be in the running for the Order of Merit.”
Montgomerie, seeking a 32nd European Tour win and first solo triumph at The Belfry, said of his 70: “It was a good round that got away from me. I shall need to shoot a 66 tomorrow or something like that, so we’ll see. But I was four shots back going into the final round in Ireland and won, so I know it can be done.”
