Lee Slattery takes two-shot lead into final day of Russian Open

Sport360 staff 08:46 06/09/2015
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  • Slattery on the course.

    England’’s Lee Slattery recovered from a double bogey to take a two-shot lead heading into the final round of a rain-hit M2M Russian Open in Moscow.

    Play was delayed by just over 90 minutes on Saturday but Slattery, who had started one shot behind overnight leader Bradley Dredge, picked up shots at the third and fifth to share the lead at the turn.

    — The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 5, 2015

    The 37-year-old then moved clear following a birdie on the 10th, but promptly slipped back to 10-under with a double bogey on the 11th.

    However, Slattery made three more birdies in the closing stages to card a four-under-par 67, reaching 13-under par for the tournament.

    Slattery said he was looking forward to the final round in what is the first tournament awarding points for next year’s Ryder Cup.

    “It’s very similar to my last win actually, I had a two shot lead there on the final day,” he said.

    “I remember losing the lead quite early, but it pushed me on to play well again so it’s similar, similar feelings, and I’m just going to go out and enjoy it tomorrow.

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    “It’s the old cliché, take it one shot at a time – that’s what I will be doing tomorrow and I’m looking forward to it.”

    Scotland’s Craig Lee and Estanislao Goya of Argentina were tied for second place at 11-under. Defending champion David Horsey was a further stroke back after a day’s joint-best round of 66.

    Horsey, who carded six birdies to remain in contention, feels the conditions at Skolkovo Golf Club played their part on the scorecards.

    He said: “The delay was actually a bit of a blessing because it was hammering it down beforehand, so that extra hour-and-a-half helped me out a little bit and we hardly had any rain this afternoon.

    “So we were very lucky with the weather and it has certainly played into the leaders’ hands.”

    Dredge, meanwhile, could only manage a 72 as four bogeys proved costly to see him finish at nine-under par, a tie for fifth.

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