Garth Mulroy makes leading move at Italian Open

Published on 15/09/2012 22:16

Garth Mulroy is the leader heading into the final day of the BMW Italian Open after he shot a six-under-par 66 at Royal Park.

The South African registered six birdies and just one bogey to move to 17 under, one shot ahead of Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.

Fellow Spaniards Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Pablo Larrazabal are a shot further back after rounds of 65 and 66 respectively.

Ryder Cup pair Nicolas Colsaerts and Martin Kaymer are in the hunt on 13 under, along with home favourite Matteo Manassero, overnight leader Ricard Bland, Welshman Phillip Price and France’s Gregory Bourdy.

But it is Mulroy who is in control and the 34-year-old has a theory as to why he has played well in Italy.

“I said on the first day the course reminds me a lot of a South African course,” he said. “The trees, the shape, and the ball goes a little further too.

“It would be a big thing to win on mainland Europe, especially with the purse here and the two-year exemption. I don’t win very often so I’d take any win.

“I feel very comfortable out there.”