Celli Holds Narrow Lead with One Round to Play in Spain

24 Jun 2022

54 out of 72 holes have been completed at the 2022 European Amateur Championship.

 

The leaderboard is extremely tight at the top, but Round 1 leader, Filippo Celli, leads by one.

 

 

The Italian started the third round one shot behind compatriot, Pietro Bovari. Despite a second successive over par round of 73 (+1), Celli is still making the most of his opening 64 (-8), and remains in pole position on -5.

 

Players faced tricky conditions on Friday afternoon, with winds picking up and staying strong through the evening. Leader at the halfway stage, Bovari, could only manage a round of 75 (+3) in the wind, dropping him from -7 to -4.

 

Bovari is far from out of contention however, joining three other players in a tie for second place just one shot back. Samuel Slater, in the group at -4, carded the round of the day. The Australian made two eagles and five birdies on his way to a 66 (-6). Slater nearly signed for a 65, narrowly missing a short birdie putt on the 18th hole.

 

Image

 

Home player, Javier Barcos Gabayo, and Germany's Yannick Malik, complete the group tied for second on -4. 

 

Barcos Gabayo, who carded a 71 (-1) in Round 3, will compete in Saturday's final pairing, having the lowest last-36 score of the four players.

 

Saturday's champion could come from further down the leaderboard. 13 players are within just four shots, including the World Amateur number-3, Ludvig Åberg (SWE), who sits at -1.

 

The European title, and a spot in The Open are not the only prizes up for grabs in Saturday's final round. Silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the podium finishers, while those placed 2nd to 5th will be invited by The R&A to compete in Final Qualifying for The Open next week.

 

67 players made the three-round cut, which ultimately finished at +6. 

 

The full leaderboard can be accessed below:

 

Full leaderboard