Golf-Echenique takes one-shot lead into French Open final round (Reuters)
July 4, 2009
By Norman Dabell
ST QUENTIN, France, July 4 (Reuters) – Argentine RafaEchenique birdied the final hole of his third round to edge intoa one-shot lead on 11-under-par 202 at the French Open onSaturday.
An eight-foot putt after a fine approach over the lake byEchenique dropped Germany’s Martin Kaymer (69), who equalled thecourse record 62 in the first round, back to second place.
Britain’s Paul Waring (68) was a further stroke back, a shotin front of compatriot Seve Benson (68), Australian RichardGreen (70) and Sweden’s Peter Hanson (70).
Echenique will draw inspiration from twice major championAngel Cabrera to try to win his maiden European Tour title onSunday.
“Angel is a good friend and my idol,” Echenique toldreporters. “I play a lot with him and he gives me good advice.
“He is a different level now so he knows what he is talkingabout. He told me if I get in position to win I must relax andnot be tense. That’s what I hope to do tomorrow.
“I was very nervous early on in the round but I did settledown, even though my putter didn’t work very well today. Thebirdie on the last made me feel very good,” the 28-year-oldsaid.
Last week in Munich, Echenique secured his second EuropeanTour runner-up spot after scoring an albatross on the 18th inthe final round.
Kaymer, 24, felt his greater experience in winning twoEuropean Tour titles already might stand him in good stead as heaimed for a third victory to help him climb into the worldranking top 20.
“I can remember when I was leading in Abu Dhabi, trying towin for the first time and you can get very nervous because itis a new situation for you,” Kaymer told reporters. “But I’vebeen up there a few times now and I hope to use that experiencetomorrow.”
(Editing by Alison Wildey
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