ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark took a three-shot lead at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Saturday after a 7-under 65 at St. Andrews in the third round.
Olesen started with a bogey on the first hole but then had eight birdies the rest of the way – including four on the last five holes – for a 17-under 199 total.
“I started off badly by hitting it in the water on the first but I got over it and played some good golf,” Olesen said. “My putter started to get very hot out there and I holed a lot of great putts. So yeah, it was good fun.”
Florian Fritsch of Germany was second after a 64 at Kingsbarns, with Benjamin Hebert of France another shot back after a 67 at Carnoustie. The players alternated between the three courses on the first three days, with the final round held at St. Andrews.
Fritsch had six birdies and an eagle in his bogey-free round. After starting on the 10th tee, he eagled the par-5 third hole and had three birdies on the next four.
“I hit a couple of good putts and ended up rolling in a few birdies and an eagle,” the German said. “That was a little extra.”
Jimmy Mullen, who held a share of the overnight lead, could only manage a 74 at Carnoustie to plummet down the leaderboard.
Ernie Els, who scuffed a putt from less than a foot out in the first round, continued his resurgence with a 66 at St. Andrews to sit in a tie for eighth, six shots back.