In-form Darren Fichardt on course to go one better on Scottish soil

A fortnight after producing a wonder shot to finish second in the ISPS HANDA Senior Open at Gleneagles, Darren Fichardt is on course to go one better on Scottish soil.

The South African takes a four-shot lead into the final round of the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship hosted by Colin Montgomerie after another tough day at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire.

Fichardt followed opening rounds of 66 and 73 on the New Course with a battling 69 to head into Sunday’s closing circuit sitting on eight under par and in a commanding position.

South African Darren Fichardt holds a four-shot lead heading into the final round of the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire | Legends Tour

Scot David Drysdale is among three players leading the chase while Aberdonian Paul Lawrie sits six off the pace, but in-form Fichardt looks as though he’s in no mood to be caught in the Legends Tour’s flagship event.

“I’m very happy, especially where I started with a double on two,” said the 51-year-old of an early slip up in the third round before repairing the damage by coming home in four-under 32.

“Those first couple of holes into the wind are really, really tricky,” added the man who almost holed out with an outrageous shot from a greenside bunker at the 18th on the King’s Course at Gleneagles to pick up a hefty cheque in the final over-50s’ major of the season.” I didn’t think I was going to get to under par but, luckily, the last nine holes weren’t playing too tough.”

Drysdale, who turned 50 last year and is chasing a first win in the Senior ranks, carded a 72 to sit alongside Fichardt’s compatriot and halfway leader Keith Horne Sweden’s Patrik Sjöland on four under.

“It’s just a grind out there,” said Drysdale, who arrived in the Granite City with little preparation after suffering a back problem playing in a new Champions Tour event hosted by Ernie Els in Portugal last week. “You’ve got to really try and focus on every shot. Nothing’s a gimme.”

In addition to Drysdale and Lawrie, Stephen Gallacher and Greig Hutcheon are also inside the top ten, as is Welshman Jamie Donaldson, who sits fifth on three under.

“It was just a case of hanging on, really,” said Donaldson, who secured Europe’s victory in the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. “I did quite well at doing that, so we’re still in the hunt tomorrow.”