Defending champion Sergio Garcia is perfectly poised to repeat his heroics of last year, as he goes into the final round 2 shots adrift of overnight leader, Rolf Muntz. He now finds himself in an identical position to last year’s Murphy’s Irish Open at Druid’s Glen, when he overtook Argentina’s Angel Cabrera to claim victory on the final day.
Carding a five-under-par third round 66, the 20-year-old Spaniard sits menacingly behind Dutchman Muntz, sharing second spot with this morning’s leader, Sweden’s Patrik Sjoland. Muntz, who birdied the 18th to add a 68 to his earlier rounds of 64 and 65 did enough to keep the Spaniard at bay, but will surely not need any reminding of last year’s event.
Paul McGinley heads Irish interest in the tournament, shooting 66 to finish the day 5 shots off the pace. Darren Clarke, following a bright start has fallen away dramatically, but Irish presence is still strong in the top ten, with Philip Walton, Des Smyth and Pat Gribben all respectably positioned with one round to go.
