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Frenchman Bourdy leads by four shots at Portuguese Open

05/04/2008

Frenchman Gregory Bourdy increased his lead to four strokes at the Portuguese Open in Estoril with a third round three-under-par 68.

Bourdy led the tournament by two shots at the end of the second round, but he didn't get off to the best of starts today as he bogeyed hole four – amazingly it was the first shot he had dropped all week.

But the 25-year-old redeemed himself as he putted two birdies and an eagle to secure a four shot lead over Scotsman Alastair Forsyth, who carded six birdies in a round of 66.

Bourdy is confident of taking advantage of his healthy lead and claiming his second European Tour event title.

"I was sharing the lead in Majorca so it's going to be a new experience," said Bourdy.
"But I have won with a big lead. In the South African PGA Championship on the Sunshine Tour I led by five or six after three rounds and won by five."

England's Miles Tunnicliff and South African Charl Schwartzel are in tied third place, five shots behind Bourdy. 39-year-old Tunnicliff carded a round of 63 to equal his best ever round as a professional.

There are five men sharing fifth place on 11-under-par, including 18-year-old rookie Rory McIlroy who hit a career best round of 66.