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It’s almost impossible to steal the limelight from Tiger Woods, but John Senden came close as he charged into the third round lead at the Australian Open on Saturday.
The relatively anonymous Senden, who admits he is rarely recognised away from the course, moved into position for his second Open victory with a round worthy of a 14-time major winner.
A brilliant ball-striker whose career victory list nonetheless makes short reading, Senden displayed his immense talent with a course record nine-under-par 63 at The Lakes.
Treating a testing breeze with disdain, he passed faltering halfway leader Woods and everyone else to move within sight of his first global victory since 2006.
Senden is at 12-under 204, one stroke ahead of fellow Queenslander Jason Day, who forgot it was his 24th birthday until reminded by his wife.
WA’s Greg Chalmers, the 1998 champion, is two strokes off the pace, while Woods shot 75 to slump six strokes behind.
It’s a stellar leaderboard, worthy of Australia’s national open, with four former champions in the top 10, including Adam Scott and Aaron Baddeley.
Senden’s steady start offered little hint of the fireworks to follow, but he jump-started his round with an eagle at the par-four sixth, where he sank a wedge from 102 metres, and also picked up seven birdies.
The quiet Senden prefers to let his clubs do the talking, but Day best summed it up when he said: “That’s just an amazing score, especially with how the wind was.”
There was little pressure on Senden on Saturday, but it will be different Sunday as he is the hunted, not the hunter.
“I’d be lying if I said I won’t be nervous,” he said. “Every player gets nervous. It’s about being in the moment and doing the best you can, having fun and enjoying it rather than making it stressful.”
Day, making his first Australian appearance in four years, wasn’t at his brilliant best, but a 68 prompted no complaints.
“It seems everyone’s my friend out there,” said Day, who appreciated the gallery support.
“I’m used to hearing Americans yell out my name. Now I’m hearing Aussies.
“I want to win really bad. I grew up watching the Australian Open. It’s always been on my goal list to win. I’m in good position for tomorrow.”
The same can’t be said of Woods, who bogeyed the first three holes.
“The round should have been an easy 71, no problem,” Woods said. “I played the par-fives bad.”
Peter O’Malley, who started the day one stroke behind Woods, also made a nightmare start, dropping four shots in the first three holes, but battled on for a 75.
Neither Senden nor Day, for all their talent, has won prolifically.
Senden has two big victories – both in 2006, when he won the Australian Open at Royal Sydney and the US PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic, while Day’s lone victory in the major leagues was at last year’s Byron Nelson Championship in Texas.
That will give their pursuers hope, as it should.
A lot can happen on the back nine. They don’t call it The Lakes for nothing.