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Geoff Ogilvy's two-shot lead going into the final round of Australian Open

Geoff Ogilvy, a former US Open Champ, is back in form. (Image: Flickr)
Expert
19th November, 2016
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Since Geoff Ogilvy turned pro in 1998, he’s been a slumbering giant.

Sure he’s won the 2006 US Open, the 2008 Australian PGA, and the 2010 Australian Open among his 13 tournament successes around the globe, but he’s a better golfer than that.

Yesterday at Royal Sydney there were no zzzzzs. It was Geoff Ogilvy at his princely best with a flawless third-round 64 to lead Aaron Baddeley, Jordan Spieth, and Ryan Fox by two going into the final round of the 101st Australian Open.

That was more like it with six birdies on the way out, and two on the way home including a three-putt par from 60 feet.

It was effortless after two rounds of frustration watching makable putts refusing to drop.

“It required lots of patience waiting for the putts to lip in, instead of lip out,” was Ogilvy’s accurate assessment.

Organisers would have hoped the final pairing today would be Ogilvy and Spieth.

But that honour sits with Baddeley, who won the first of his two Australian Opens in 1999 as an amateur teenager at Royal Sydney.

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So Spieth will be with the exciting Kiwi Fox who looks more like a rugby international, while his All Black legend father Grant Fox looked like a golfer.

Two years ago Spieth won the Australian Open with a superb final-round 63 that launched the American into world dominance, capturing the US Masters, and US Open as well as the world number one ranking.

He’s not playing as well as that at Royal Sydney. In fact, if it wasn’t for his unbelievable bunker saves and his short game, he wouldn’t be anywhere near contention.

His pairing with Fox could well be the highlight of the day.

Spieth will try to keep up with Fox’s power drives, and both will get into trouble – Fox especially will never die wondering, he will hammer away all day.

The winner should come from those four, plus Rod Pampling – unless Adam Scott decides to leave his rubbish shots in the shed, and turn up the heat.

He’s more than capable of doing just that – take his three rounds as perfect examples – 73, 65 and 71.

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The first and third rounds contained more than enough rubbish, but the 65 was superb going out in six under, but three birdies and two bogeys on the way home cost a low 60.

Sadly, that’s so often Scott’s pattern – costly.

But if an on-fire Scott stands up today teeing off 44 minutes before Ogilvy and Baddeley, he could well set a clubhouse lead to put pressure on those following.

And Royal Sydney well do the rest, especially if it blows.

Australian Open leaderboard after three rounds:

11-under – Geoff Ogilvy 70 71 64.
9-under – Aaron Baddeley 74 66 67, Jordan Spieth 69 70 68, Ryan Fox 68 68 71.
8-under – Rod Pampling 71 67 70.
7-under – Jake Higginbotham 73 70 68, James Nitties 70 65 74, Adam Scott 73 65 71, James Scrivener 70 70 69.

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