Fichardt Defies Brutal Conditions To Take Four-Shot Lead Into Final Round

Darren Fichardt produced a remarkable fightback in brutal conditions to take a commanding four-shot lead into the final round of the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship at Trump International in Aberdeen.

On a day when strong winds swept across the New Course and just seven players in the field broke par, Fichardt recovered from a double bogey at the second to card a three-under-par 69 and reach eight-under for the championship.

The South African leads overnight leader Keith Horne, Scotland’s David Drysdale and Sweden’s Patrik Sjöland, who all share second at four-under. Jamie Donaldson remains in contention at three-under, with Johan Edfors, Mikael Lundberg and 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie a further shot back.

Fichardt’s challenge looked in danger of slipping away early. After the double bogey at two, another dropped shot at the sixth left him three-over for his round, but six birdies over his final 11 holes transformed his afternoon.

“I’m very happy, especially where I started with a double on two. Those first couple of holes into the wind are really, really tricky,” said Fichardt.

“I didn’t think I was going to get to under-par, but luckily the last nine holes weren’t playing too tough.”

Perhaps the most important moment of his round came without making a birdie. After finding the water from the tee at the par-five 15th and leaving himself around 290 yards for his third, Fichardt produced a superb recovery to escape with a par.

“I managed to make par, so that was definitely a momentum booster for me because I was quite despondent hitting the water there,” he said.

That save proved the catalyst for a brilliant finish. Fichardt birdied the 17th before firing his approach at the par-five 18th to eight feet. His eagle attempt narrowly missed, but the resulting tap-in birdie completed a back-nine 32 and stretched his advantage to four.

Behind him, Horne battled his way to a two-over-par 74 to remain in a share of second, ending his day on a high by chipping to around a foot at the last and tapping in for birdie.

Sjöland was one of the few players able to make significant ground on a punishing day. The Swede mixed five birdies with just two bogeys in a three-under-par 69 to climb into a share of second.

“I play pretty good on links courses, and I think it’s just because I can use my imagination a little bit more,” said Sjöland.

“It’s not just throwing the ball in the air and moving it from A to B. Here you can hit so many different types of shots and especially around the greens you can use your imagination. I love to play this type of course.”

Drysdale ensured there will also be strong home interest on Sunday, grinding out a level-par 72 to join Horne and Sjöland at four-under.

The Scot, who arrived in Aberdeen with little preparation after suffering a back problem in Portugal, highlighted the mental challenge posed by the New Course as he kept himself firmly in the title hunt.

“It’s just a grind out there. You’ve got to really try and focus on every shot. Nothing’s a gimme,” said Drysdale.

Donaldson will begin the final round five shots back after a one-over-par 73 left him at three-under. The 2014 Ryder Cup hero almost ended his round with an eagle, producing an excellent approach into the par-five 18th to six feet before narrowly missing the putt and tapping in for birdie.

“It was just a case of hanging on, really. I did quite well at doing that, so we’re still in the hunt tomorrow,” said Donaldson.

Lawrie had also moved into contention before finding the water at the 17th, eventually signing for a one-over-par 73 to finish at two-under alongside Edfors and Lundberg.

After coming agonisingly close to the title 12 months ago, Fichardt will now return to the New Course on Sunday with a four-shot cushion and another opportunity to settle unfinished business in Aberdeen following his dramatic play-off defeat to Bo Van Pelt last year.

The final round of the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship gets underway on Sunday at Trump International Golf Links, Aberdeen.

Tickets for the final day are still available to purchase via the tournament website. Under-16s are free.