GOLF

Coetzee opens 1-shot lead at Mauritius Open

May 9, 2015, 7:12 AM

BEL OMBRE, Mauritius (AP) — George Coetzee holed out from the fairway for an eagle Saturday on the way to a 6-under 65 and a one-shot lead after the third round of the Mauritius Open.

Living up to his status as the highest-ranked player at the tournament, the South African added four birdies to that eagle on No. 7 to move to 11-under 202 overall. He moved clear of compatriot Thomas Aiken (68) and overnight leader Thorbjorn Olesen (70).

Denmark’s Olesen dropped off the top of the leaderboard for the first time at the tri-sanctioned European, Asian and South African tour event after making three bogeys along with his four birdies. Aiken collected six birdies but also dropped three shots.

It left Coetzee in position to clinch his third European Tour title and second this season after winning the Tshwane Open at his home course in Pretoria in March.

Coetzee started the round four shots behind Olesen but was ahead by the time he made the turn after going 5 under through his first nine holes. He sank a long birdie putt on No. 2, got up and down for another gain at No. 5, and sent a gentle wedge straight at the hole for his eagle. The ball bounced a couple of times and rolled in. He made another birdie at No. 9.

Coetzee kept it together on the back nine despite often struggling off the tee at Heritage Golf Club.

“As I walked off the course I told my manager I don’t know how I’m shooting under par the way I’m playing,” he said. “But obviously the course must suit my eye pretty well.”

Aiken made just his second bogey of the weekend at his first hole on Saturday, and despite two more drops on his back nine, he remained in contention.

Singaporean Mardan Mamat was fourth on 8 under ahead of a four-way tie for fifth at the inaugural event on the Indian Ocean island.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Golf

Sparky's Fairway at Mountain America Stadium...

Tyler Drake

Sparky’s Fairway golf takes over Arizona State’s Mountain America Stadium

ASU's Mountain America Stadium is trading in its hash marks for yardage markers as Sparky's Fairway takes center stage beginning Thursday.

21 days ago

Fans at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open...

Associated Press

Thunderbirds looking at ways to tame Phoenix Open after wild, muddy mess

The Thunderbirds, who operate the Phoenix Open, plan to spend the next 11 months looking for ways to implement changes to the tournament.

1 month ago

Adam Svensson of Canada putts on the 18th green during the continuation of the second round of the ...

Arizona Sports

WM Phoenix Open offering refund submissions for Saturday closure

The WM Phoenix Open is offering refund submissions to fans who were denied entrance on Saturday when the event's gates were temporarily closed.

1 month ago

WM Phoenix Open crowds on Friday...

Arizona Sports

The Thunderbirds exec: WM Phoenix Open to consider ‘complete operational changes’

What happened at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open, with gates being closed and alcohol sales shutting down, will lead to changes to the event.

1 month ago

Nick Taylor, of Canada, hits out of a fairway bunker on the second hole during the final round of t...

Associated Press

Nick Taylor wins WM Phoenix Open with birdie on 2nd hole of playoff

Nick Taylor made an 11-foot birdie putt to beat Charley Hoffman on the second hole of a playoff at the WM Phoenix Open.

2 months ago

(Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)...

Dan Bickley

Bickley: WM Phoenix Open caps the weirdest, wettest and wildest tournament ever

Fans of the 2024 WM Phoenix Open experienced one of the weirdest, wettest and wildest versions of the tournament to date.

2 months ago

Coetzee opens 1-shot lead at Mauritius Open