For the second successive week, Declan O’Donovan will tee it up in the final group on Sunday as he bids for his first Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia title at Webex Players Series Sydney hosted by Peter O’Malley.
The 22-year-old rattled in nine birdies in his 8-under par round of 64 to end the day at Castle Hill Country Club on 20-under, one stroke ahead of Brady Watt, who is also contending for his first victory on Tour.
O’Donovan came into the week off the back of his first top 10 finish of the season, eventually finishing third at Webex Players Series Murray River, and Saturday was the third time he'd signed for a 64 in just seven rounds.
Starting the day one shot back, the Sydneysider trailed Watt by three strokes after the 10th hole, but momentum swung in his favour after a long-range birdie putt on the 11th, followed by another birdie on the 12th as he holed-out from the rough.
“I actually put a nice handle on my driver, which I’ve been struggling with a little bit recently,” said O’Donovan. “But I chipped and putted so, so good, and I hit one of the best recovery shots I’ve ever hit in my life on 12.
“I actually hit quite a good tee shot. It was just left of the green and clipped the trees and dropped down and wasn’t in a good spot. I thought I would do an alright job making par. I actually had accepted a bogey and was ready to move on, then boom, tracking, Deano [Dean Kinney] called it. It was great.”
After a bogey on the 14th resulted in him giving up the lead, Watt recovered with birdies on the 17th and 18th to sign for a 6-under 66.
“It just keeps me in touch,” said the West Australian. “Anytime you have a chance on Sunday, that’s what you play for. It’s what you play for and what you train for and I’m really excited for tomorrow.”
LPGA star Steph Kyriacou sits in solo third place on 14-under after a 4-under round of 68. The World Number 45 is the leading female competitor so far this week, with Caitlin Peirce (69) in seventh place on 11-under.
“I hit it really good today and then I just didn't quite convert the opportunities I had,” said Kyriacou. “I felt like I could have gone seven or eight today if the putter was on, but it's kind of been the theme of the week. So hopefully tomorrow I can have a really low one and ride up that leaderboard.”
Liam Jordan and Ava Prince share the lead in the Junior event on +1, while Kane Leonard (+4) holds a two-stroke lead from Steven Alderson (+6) in the All Abilities tournament.
Entry to Webex Players Series Sydney is free for spectators, with coverage from the final round available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.
