Slow play fine may be good omen for Tadini
Alessandro Tadini was fined for slow play last week but hopes it could be a good omen in the final two rounds of the Wales Open at Celtic Manor.
Tadini was penalised during the third round of the BMW Championship last week, his third ’bad time’ of the year costing him £4,000 (€5,900).
But the Italian can take heart from the fact that last year’s winner, Simon Khan, suffered the same fate – plus a one-shot penalty – at Wentworth 12 months ago, a week before claiming his first European Tour title at Celtic Manor.
Tadini takes a two-shot lead into the third round of the £1.5m (€2.3m) event this afternoon after a flawless course-record 62 on Friday.
And the £250,000 (€372,000) first prize would more than make up for the fine handed out for taking too long to play a shot on the par-three 14th hole seven days ago.
England’s David Lynn is Tadini’s nearest challenger on nine under par, with Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez a shot further back.
Of the early starters, England’s Nick Dougherty was making the most progress, three birdies in the first six holes taking him to four under par.
It was a dismal day for the Irish playing in the Open - all three finished today's round over par. Paul McGinley was two over while Peter Lawrie and Gary Murphy were one over.
