Gran Canaria 2021 R3
April 22-25
Meloneras Golf by Lopesan, Gran Canaria, Spain
€1,500,000
Round 1, Round 2, Round 4

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Garrick Higgo made the most of a fast start to record a seven under par round of 63 and take a two shot lead into the final round of the 2021 Gran Canaria Lopesan Open.

Gran Canaria 2021 R3

“I’ll take every hole as it comes (tomorrow). I will try to be aggressive if I can, but I’m just going to enjoy it. It’s a great spot to be in.”

The South African entered the day three shots off the lead, but after sinking three birdies and an eagle in his opening four holes at Meloneras Golf by Lopesan, he went on to shoot the lowest round of his European Tour career to get to 18-under par after three rounds.

Gran Canaria 2021 R3

That took him two shots clear of Frenchman Matthieu Pavon, Scotland’s Connor Syme, and Austrian Matthias Schwab, who eagled the 17th to jump into contention.

“It was an unbelievable start, but I wasn’t playing that well," said Higgo. "It’s definitely a course where you can hit it off line. I putted well and my chipping has been great. I definitely scored very well. I didn’t play so well in terms of off the tee, but the start was unbelievable. A couple of times we were in some odd spots and I couldn’t believe where I hit it to."

“The chip shot on ten was a tough one. I have been working hard on my short game – it hasn’t been my strong point for the last six months. It was a bit of a hit and hope, but I knew if I could get it up a little bit with some spin, I had a chance of leaving it within eight foot. It was definitely a nice touch. For sure it is one that you practice, especially around here with the tight grass. But it’s one that you don’t want to use too often."

Gran Canaria 2021 R3

Higgo is playing just his 24th European Tour event this week but the 21-year-old has already secured his first victory - at last season's Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos - and recorded his first top ten of the 2021 Race to Dubai last week in Austria.

England's Sam Horsfield and Dane Jeff Winther are three shots off the lead at 15 under par while Wu Ashun of China equalled the course record set yesterday by Syme, Horsfield and Thorbjørn Olesen with his nine under par round of 61 to sit among eight players at 14 under par.

Gran Canaria 2021 R3