Picture: Peter Uihlein (courtesy of Getty Images (c)
Peter Uihlein is on course to capture the second European Tour title of a stunning rookie season after opening up a three-shot lead on the third day of the ISPS Handa Wales Open.
The talented American, who is coached by his renowned compatriot Butch Harmon, tamed the Twenty Ten Course in blustery conditions at The Celtic Manor Resort to move into pole position to double his tally of titles, having won the Madeira Islands Open – Portugal – BPI in May.
Uihlein started the season on the Challenge Tour, but will almost certainly finish it by teeing up in the money-spinning DP World Tour Championship, Dubai after a series of impressive performances on The European Tour this term.
His four under par round of 67 in tricky conditions was an exercise in control and patience, and moved the 24 year old to seven under par, three strokes clear of the French duo of Grégory Bourdy and Thomas Levet.
Uihlein, who eagled the par five ninth hole, said: "Today I felt like I was able to slow everything down, and just be in my own element. I was really trying to make sure I didn't get ahead of myself, and keep it at one shot at a time.
"I learnt a lot playing with Jim Furyk in the first two rounds of the [US] PGA Championship, which was an unbelievable experience. Just watching him go about his business, and the way he handles himself, was an education, and that's something I'm trying to do in my game.
"I'm excited. I feel like I've put myself in a good position and given myself opportunities, and that's what it's all about. I feel like the more I do it, the more comfortable I am doing it. Today was a great day and a good step in the right direction, and hopefully I'll be able to repeat it tomorrow."
Levet matched Uihlein's round of 67 to climb 18 places up the leaderboard, from 20th to tied second.
The veteran Frenchman flew out the blocks with four birdies in his first six holes en route to reaching the turn in 32, and whilst his back nine was more of a mixed bag, Levet was understandably delighted with his day's work.
He said: "I'm very happy, because that course is a monster. It's probably not designed to be played in dry conditions and bouncy, and even if you hit a great shot off the tee, on some holes you can still find yourself in trouble. It's so difficult, so I'm really happy with a 67."
Bourdy might have challenged Uihlein for the lead were it not for a double bogey at the short 13th hole, where his tee shot found the water hazard. But he rallied impressively with a fourth birdie of the day at the 15th hole to join his fellow Frenchman on four under par.
Earlier in the day, Swede Peter Hedblom had posted the lowest round of the day, a 66 to climb to three under par. He was later joined on that mark by Spain's Rafa Cabrera-Bello (71) and Dutchman Joost Luiten (69).
Overnight leader Liam Bond endured a difficult day, labouring to a seven over par round 78 to slip back into a tie for 31st place on two over par.
Scores after round 3:
206 P Uihlein (USA) 69 70 67,
209 G Bourdy (Fra) 67 72 70, T Levet (Fra) 75 67 67,
210 R Cabrera-Bello (Esp) 71 68 71, J Luiten (Ned) 73 68 69, P Hedblom (Swe) 72 72 66,
211 M Korhonen (Fin) 71 70 70, M Nixon (Eng) 72 71 68, D McGrane (Irl) 70 71 70, J Walters (RSA) 71 71 69, G Storm (Eng) 72 67 72,
212 A Hansen (Den) 71 71 70, R Green (Aus) 66 76 70, E De La Riva (Esp) 71 70 71, T Van Der Walt (RSA) 67 71 74,
213 P Waring (Eng) 72 70 71, B Rumford (Aus) 72 69 72, S Kjeldsen (Den) 69 74 70, C Paisley (Eng) 74 69 70, M Foster (Eng) 67 75 71, A Kaleka (Fra) 71 72 70, J Parry (Eng) 71 69 73,
214 S Wakefield (Eng) 70 74 70, M Carlsson (Swe) 72 74 68, R Rock (Eng) 68 73 73, C Lee (Sco) 77 67 70, E Grillo (Arg) 68 76 70, G Fdez-Castaño (Esp) 70 75 69, E Kofstad (Nor) 64 74 76, C Wood (Eng) 66 75 73,
215 D Higgins (Irl) 74 70 71, S Hansen (Den) 72 73 70, L Bond (Wal) 69 68 78, D Drysdale (Sco) 70 73 72, M Tullo (Chi) 74 70 71, S Arnold (Aus) 72 74 69, J Edfors (Swe) 72 69 74, S Benson (Eng) 76 70 69, A Snobeck (Fra) 73 71 71, O Fisher (Eng) 71 72 72, F Aguilar (Chi) 72 72 71,
216 M Baldwin (Eng) 74 72 70, P McGinley (Irl) 70 69 77, R Enoch (Wal) 73 70 73, A Hartø (Den) 72 72 72, B Koepka (USA) 72 71 73, R Fisher (Eng) 71 71 74, J Campillo (Esp) 71 73 72,
217 A Tadini (Ita) 70 72 75, S Chowrasia (Ind) 72 70 75, R Bland (Eng) 75 71 71, A Levy (Fra) 71 69 77, E Pepperell (Eng) 77 69 71, S Dyson (Eng) 76 69 72, T Jaidee (Tha) 71 74 72,
218 J Lara (Esp) 73 70 75, C Doak (Sco) 72 70 76, J Lagergren (Swe) 74 72 72, M Kieffer (Ger) 69 75 74, M Ilonen (Fin) 69 74 75,
219 J Quesne (Fra) 73 69 77, M Jonzon (Swe) 71 74 74, G Maybin (Nir) 71 75 73, T Björn (Den) 72 73 74, R Santos (Por) 70 76 73, R Wattel (Fra) 72 74 73,
220 S Jamieson (Sco) 74 72 74, A Dodt (Aus) 71 75 74,
221 R Coles (Eng) 69 73 79, P Erofejeff (Fin) 71 74 76, R Jacquelin (Fra) 70 71 80,
222 C Cévaër (Fra) 70 72 80,
224 A Marshall (Eng) 71 72 81
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