Hennie Otto gave himself the perfect chance once again to prove he has what it takes to win on The European Tour when he moved into a four shot lead going into the final round of the Methorios Capital Italian Open.
The 31 year old South African has been close on numerous occasions, none more so than six weeks ago in the Madeira Islands Open BPI – Portugal, when he took a five shot advantage into the final round only to be overhauled by Alastair Forsyth, the Scot eventually triumphing on the first hole of a play-off.
Now Otto has another opportunity to win and regain his full playing privileges on The European Tour thanks to a stunning third round 63 at the sun-kissed Castello di Tolcinasco Golf and Country Club on the outskirts of Milan.
It moved the South African to 22 under par 194, a new tournament record low for 54 holes, beating the previous best of 21 under par 195 carded by eventual champion Patrik Sjoland at Castelconturbia in 1998.
But more importantly for Otto now, it gave him a four shot lead over his nearest challengers for the €283,330 (£221,303) first prize and the priceless two year exemption on The European Tour International Schedule until the end of the 2010 season that victory will also present him.
“I played very well today, very well indeed and I am very pleased,” he said. “I put the ball close to the pins with my irons today and gave myself a lot of chances. I made a few more putts today than earlier in the week which is probably why I am where I am tonight.
“Looking back to Madeira, I didn’t feel I played particularly badly there, I just didn’t make any putts and Alastair did. I’ll just plan to take tomorrow as another day and I won’t think about back then. Whoever plays the best golf will win the tournament, it is as simple as that and I’ll just try and play the same way as I did today.”
Certainly if he does that, the man from Boksburg will be unstoppable. Starting two shots behind the second round leader Robert Karlsson, Otto moved closer to the Swede with an outward half of 33 before putting his foot firmly on the gas turning for home.
Birdies rained into the cup at the tenth, 12th and 13th to see him to the top of the leaderboard before he disappeared into the distance with a closing stretch of birdies at the last three holes, including a sensational 30 foot effort at the last.
Sharing second place on 18 under par 198 going into the final day are Spain’s Alvaro Velasco along with Swedes Christian Nilsson and Karlsson.
Nilsson and Velasco both posted excellent 64s while Karlsson slipped out of pole position after his third round 69. Despite now having to play catch-up, the towering Swede admitted all was not lost.
“I just didn’t play so good at all today,” he said. “Sometimes you have rounds like this in a tournament, hopefully not always, but today I had one of those days but I got away with a 69 which is not bad. And there is another 18 to play tomorrow.”
