AFP
Ireland’s Damien McGrane
Michal Cizek, AFP/Getty ImagesIreland’s Damien McGrane opened up a one-shot lead over Italian teenagerMatteo Manassero at the Trophee Hassan on Saturday before darkness brought a suspension to the third round.
On a day that started with 40-year-old McGrane having to play 13 holes of his second round after Friday’s action had been disrupted by high winds, he steadily reeled in a three-shot deficit to clubhouse leader Phillip Price.
McGrane birdied the seventh, ninth and 10th holes to pull level with Price, before two-putting the long 15th for birdie to take the outright lead.
The Irishman, whose only European Tour title came in China five years ago, then holed a six-footer at the last to confirm his halfway advantage.
He then managed to complete 10 holes of his third round, carding four birdies and three bogeys to stand at 12 under par for the tournament.
“It was a nice way to finish the day, with a birdie, but I have to be honest and say that it was a bit of a mixed bag out there today,” said McGrane.
“Plenty of birdies and bogeys so not quite as good as the first two rounds. I have actually missed a few fairways out there in the third round and that is probably the easiest thing to do on this course.”
One shot back is Manassero, who is bidding to reach the Masters for the second time.
He is 11 under after 15 holes, as is Spain’s Jose Manuel Lara, who has completed 10 holes.
Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey, who managed to complete his third round, is a shot further back in fourth after a 65 gave him a 10-under total.
Manassero needs a win to climb into the world top 50 and earn a place at the Masters in a fortnight’s time.
“The dream is still alive and I have to try my best to make it happen. I am certainly going to try and win the event first and foremost to win the event and then if the Masters happens it would be amazing,” said the Italian, who competed at Augusta as a 16-year-old two years ago.
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