Lawrie closing in on Jacquelin
16/10/2005 - 13:51:31Raphael Jacquelin, seven ahead with a round to play, was only three in front with nine holes remaining in the Madrid Open today.
The Frenchman, seeking his first win in 238 European tour events and 21 under par after three magical 64s, went to the turn in only a level par 36 while Scot Paul Lawrie covered the same stretch in 31.
Lawrie won the 1999 Open from 10 behind after 54 holes – it was France’s Jean Van de Velde who led then – and after birdies at the second, fourth, sixth and eighth he chipped in from 20 feet for another on the short ninth.
Darren Clarke was four behind in third place, but should have been a lot closer. A brilliant approach to two feet gave him an eagle at the seventh, but he missed three six-foot birdie chances and a couple of other opportunities.
