Marc Warren shares lead with round to go in Austrian Open

Marc Warren hits his tee shot on the 13th hole during the third round of the Austrian Open at Diamond Country Club, near Vienna. Picture: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Marc Warren leads a three-pronged tartan title challenge heading into the Austrian Open, a co-sanctioned event marking the restart of both the European Tour and Challenge Tour.

Warren, a three-time winner on the main tour, shares the lead with Germany's Nicolai Von Dellingshausen, with Connor Syme one behind and Craig Howie also in the top 10 at Diamond Country Club, near Vienna.

Bidding land his first victory since the Made in Denmark just under six years ago, Warren leaped ahead of overnight leader Miguel Angel Jimenez as he carded four birdies in a two-under-par 70.

That moved him to 11-under, level with Von Dellingshausen, who opened with three birdies in the first four holes as he signed for the same score.

“I know what to expect," said Warren, who has slipped to 1,258th in the world after failing to hold on to his full playing privileges for the last two seasons, as he looked ahead to the final round.

"Some guys haven’t won before, they might not know what to expect. I’m pretty comfortable with the situation I’m in. Hopefully a good front nine tomorrow and I’ll be in with a chance to win.”

The Glaswegian, who won the World Cup with Colin Montgomerie in 2007, is carrying his own bag this week after his caddie's Covid-19 test failed to arrive back in time.

“Probably as wet coming off today as I was yesterday, but with water today instead of sweat," he said of Friday's hot conditions being replaced by rain. "It was a grind from the start, so it was good to get round in under par."

Syme, who finished second in the Shot Clock Masters on the same course two seasons ago, celebrated his 25th birthday in style as he carded a bogey-free three-under 69.

“It was a brilliant birthday for sure," said the Fifer. "When we were going down the first, I don’t think we were too optimistic about finishing the round, to be honest, as it was so wet.

"It did definitely die down a little bit, but it was persistent rain all day, so very delighted with my score."

Howie, who is playing in just his second European Tour event, recovered from dropping three shots in six holes around the turn to cover the last six in one-under.

After signing for a 74, the 25-year-old Peebles man sits in a tie for ninth on seven-under, one ahead of 56-year-old Jimenez, who had to settle for a 77 after dropping six shots in five holes.

Lurking ominously, two shots off the lead, is Dutchman Joost Luiten, who is bidding for a second win in this event and seventh European Tour title.

Craig Ross (74) sits joint-30th on two-under, two shots ahead of Scott Henry (74).

A message from the Editor:Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy YatesEditorial Director