Paul Casey Hails ‘Wonderful Day’ After Taking Three-Shot Lead in Crans-Montana

Paul Casey shot a 7-under 63 to open a three-shot lead after the third round of the Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club.

The 49-year-old Englishman reached 16-under after six birdies across his final seven holes on the front nine, followed by a closing gain at the 18th.

Casey, a 15-time DP World Tour winner, now lives in Switzerland and has pledged all his prize money from the tournament to Fondation Beloved. The charity supports people affected by the New Year’s Day fire in Crans-Montana.

“I love this place, I really do, so it’s a wonderful day,” Casey said after completing his round in front of the Swiss crowd.

Casey’s best previous result at the tournament was third in 2005. He will begin Sunday’s final round with four players sharing second place on 13-under.

Casey Covers Front Nine in 29

Overnight leader Thriston Lawrence began Saturday with a two-shot advantage after reaching 13-under without a bogey through 36 holes.

Lawrence dropped his first shot in 52 holes at the opening hole, allowing Nacho Elvira to join him at 12-under. The South African responded with a birdie at the 2nd but bogeyed the 3rd.

Casey moved ahead during the opening stretch. After starting with two pars, he made four birdies in five holes from the 3rd before arriving at the par-3 8th.

A tee shot into the rough left Casey beaten by a 12-year-old participant in the Beat The Pro challenge, but he chipped in for birdie. Another gain at the 9th completed an outward 29 and moved him to 15-under.

Casey bogeyed the 14th before recovering immediately at the next hole. Three closing pars appeared likely to leave him two clear, but his birdie at the last extended the advantage to three.

Four Players Share Second

Maximilian Steinlechner completed a bogey-free 63 to set the early clubhouse target at 13-under. Erik van Rooyen matched that score after combining nine birdies with two bogeys, while Eugenio Chacarra and Elvira also finished three behind Casey.

Ángel Ayora holds sixth place at 12-under. Francesco Laporta, Todd Clements and Keita Nakajima are another shot back heading into the final round.

Casey said he felt fresh after playing a reduced schedule and described the tournament as a home week.

“And tomorrow, whatever happens, I hope I win, and I’ll be playing really hard, but I’ll make sure that all my prize money as well is going to the charity and the victims of the fire here in Crans Montana,” he said.

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