The 2024 Andalucía Masters will have a totally unexpected new winner. Taking into account the results of the top five finishers after three rounds (separated by six strokes), it seems unlikely that the victory will go to Jorge Campillo, Julien Guerrier, Daniel Brown, Jordan Smith or Rasmus Hojgaard; and that forecast is based on the fact that the sixth, Jon Rahm (-12), has ruled himself out by falling seven shots from the lead. «I don’t see it possible, really; “I would have to make a minus ten and have everyone at the top click,” he admitted sadly when he finished.
And the Basque didn’t have a bad day, but he didn’t play well enough to get closer to those at the top. He started at seven and finished the round without lowering them. «I am not satisfied with the round, since in other circumstances four down would be a good result but not today. I don’t know, there have been a couple of ‘swings’ that I thought I had done better than they had later done and I have also had mistakes on the 4th and the 14th… well, that’s what it is,” he resigned. The other star of the tournament, the Andalusian Ángel Hidalgo, had a much worse time, who on this occasion signed a simple par card that changed his usual happy face. «I started with a very good feeling in the first four holes, but then I missed four ‘puts’ of three meters and nothing came of it. The day was easy and I hit it well enough to make seven less and get into the fight, but when things go wrong there is nothing to do,” he noted.
Those who were most happy with their performance were the Frenchman Guerrier and the Cáceres-born Campillo, who will face Sunday with three shots ahead of the first of their pursuers, Daniel Brown (-16). «It has been a great day because everything has gone well for me, especially with the short game and putting. “I am very excited,” commented the Frenchman after certifying a new course record (63) en route to his first European circuit title after 228 failed attempts. Of course, to do so he will have to first overcome a Jorge who already has three awards under his belt and who has not yet committed a bogey in 54 holes. That gives an idea of the consistency of his game, especially because his only bad moment of the day, on the 14th hole, was masterfully resolved on the green.
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1. J. Campillo (ESP), 64 + 65 + 68 (-19)
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-.J. Guerrier (FRA), 62 + 72 + 63 (-19)
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3. D. Brown (ING), 63 + 70 + 67 (-16)
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4. J. Smith (ENG), 67 + 67 + 67 (-15)
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5. R. Hojgaard (DIN), 67 + 71 + 65 (-13)
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6. J. Rahm (ESP), 70 + 66 + 68 (-12)
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16. E. Chacarra (ESP), 68 + 71 + 68 (-9)
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20. D. Puig (ESP), 69 + 72 + 67 (-8)
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-. A. Otageui (ESP), 72 + 69 + 67 (-8)
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-. TO. Hidalgo (ESP), 70 + 66 + 72 (-8)
“I’m playing well, with good starts, good with the irons and solid on the mats, so I just need to hold on well for one more day,” the Extremaduran joked. It is true that three shots are not an advantage to relax in the last holes, but he knows what he has to do from previous experiences. «I will go out to play my game as before. If I have results like these again, I will keep my options, but that doesn’t mean that someone from behind will come from behind with a 62 and beat you. In short, I hope to be able to do a few and bring joy,” he concluded. The Spanish public is looking forward to it.
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