Antoine Rozner just made the cut on Friday after rounds of 69 and 72 but carded a flawless 62, a new course record, featuring an eagle at the par-5 15th on Saturday to reach 10-under and take a share of the four-way tie for the lead at the Italian Open.
“Out of all the birdies I’ve made this week so far, the one on 18 yesterday was huge,” said the Frenchman. “I bogeyed 17 to be out of the cut line and I had no other choice but to hit the pin and make the putt, and that’s what I did.
“I got back this morning with the mindset of having nothing to lose. The conditions were lovely, the greens were pure. I took advantage of it, it was an amazing day.
“Tom (McKibbin) hit the same tee shot but was at the bottom of a tree and couldn’t play. This is golf, that’s why we love this game and sometimes we hate it. Today it turned out my way, so I’m really happy.
“I never thought I’d be in this position after being one under after two rounds. I need a little bit of time to process anything. It will be a nice, relaxing afternoon. But I’ll be ready tomorrow and hopefully I can come back with the same mindset and shoot a low score.”
Germany’s Marcel Siem made two bogeys and closed with a 66 to move into his share of the lead alongside India’s Shubhankar Sharma who carded a bogey-free 67 and Denmark’s Sebastian Friedrichsen who shot 68.
American Gunner Wiebe who held the overnight lead made three birdies and five bogeys to close with a 73 and a share of 9th place at 7-under.
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