Doyle remains in control at Shirley Open, but Sir Bob delights all

Doyle, the PGA club professional at Christchurch Golf Club, fired a third successive round in the 60s today to move to 12 under par after three rounds. He will take an eight shot lead into tomorrow’s final round in the Charles Tour event.

However the attention focussed on 73-year-old Charles who fired a two-under 70 to jump from a share of 21st place to a tie for 10th and will be in the fourth to last group for the final round.

Doyle was again in total command today, extending his advantage to seven shots with three birdies in the opening nine before mixing a further birdie with a solitary dropped shot for his three-under 69. He has a whopping eight shot lead over Cambridge professional Andrew Searle who shot a one-over 73 today.

The 2003 New Zealand Open champion Mahal Pearce (Dunedin) also shot 73 to share third place on one-under par with 18-year-old Simon Brownlee (Gulf Harbour), who is the leading amateur.
Professionals Brenden Stuart (Wellington), Auckland's Scott Hill and Mathew Holten of Christchurch share fifth place on even-par, with Troy Ropiha (Taupo) and Sean Riordan sharing eighth place on one-over after both fired two-under par 70s today.

Charles also enjoyed a two-under 70 to beat his age, and is tied for 10th place with fellow professionals Riki Borell (Nelson) and Doug Holloway (Hawkes Bay). Charles recovered from a double bogey on the second hole to bag five birdies and a solitary bogey on the 16th to delight a sizeable audience with his skills. It proved a pleasurable day for the fans as well as Charles’ young playing partners Vaughan McCall and Ben Campbell, who hails from Masterton as does Sir Bob.

“It was a fun round. There were three sheep farmers playing together,” Charles said. “I started to strike the ball a lot better from tee to green and I played quite well. I was very happy with my game. Of course I relished the warmer weather conditions and a lot less wind. And they moved the tee markers up on quite a few of the longer holes and I enjoyed that as well. I felt very comfortable with the length of the golf course. It was a good day on the greens. I have bettered my age in every tournament I played this year so it was nice to get behind me with a round to go.”

Doyle said he took no chances, putting on his game-face despite significant home club support today. “I approached things with patience today. I know I am playing the golf course well and told myself to just do what I know best – drive on the fairways, hit the greens and put yourself in position to make some putts. The course is great and the greens are sensational, they are so true. The course is the best that I have seen it and with new fairways coming on board that it will get even better in four or five years time.”

Doyle has never won a four-round tournament in New Zealand but is not getting ahead of himself despite his lead. "I have to approach it like another round of golf. I am going to enjoy every moment of it but I am determined to stick to my plan and not take too many risks.”

Shirley Open – Round 3 Scores

Third round men, par 72:
204 Anthony Doyle (P Christchurch) 67 68 69
212 Andrew Searle (P Cambridge) 72 67 73
215 Mahal Pearce (P Dunedin) 70 72 73
215 Simon Brownlee (Gulf Harbour) 72 69 74
216 Brenden Stuart (P Wellington) 72 73 71
216 Scott Hill (P Auckland) 75 68 73
216 Mathew Holten (P Christchurch) 72 72 72
217 Troy Ropiha (P Taupo) 69 78 70
217 Sean Riordan (Takaka) 75 72 70
219 Sir Bob Charles (P Christchurch) 74 75 70
219 Riki Borell (P Nelson) 71 76 72
219 Doug Holloway (P Hastings) 75 70 74
220 Vaughan McCall (Gore) 72 77 71
220 Jared Pender (P Tauranga) 69 75 76
220 Peter Smith (P Wanaka) 76 69 75
221 Thomas Lannie (P North Harbour) 76 76 69
221 Jordan Bakermans (Avondale) 79 73 69
221 Grant Moorhead (P New Plymouth) 73 76 72
222 Jim Cusdin (P Hamilton) 79 71 72
222 Mathew Perry (Hamilton) 76 74 72
222 Carl Brooking (P Christchurch) 74 75 73
223 Andrew Stewart (Omokoroa) 76 75 72
223 Kevin Budden (Waitemata) 79 70 74
223 Alex Tait (P Northland) 76 72 75
224 Richard Wright (P Hamilton) 76 74 74
224 Timmy Tu (Akarana) 73 75 76
224 Craig Mitchell (P Christchurch) 78 75 71
 
Final scores women, par 74:
226 Emily Perry (Lochiel) 78 77 71
231 Caroline Bon (Northland) 76 76 79
233 Zoe Brake (Whakatane) 80 72 81
237 Jessica Guenzerodt 80 83 74
239 May Chang (Waitikiri) 83 79 77
240 Lisa Wright (Nelson) 79 76 85
241 Robyn Cruse (Russley) 80 79 82
245 Shani Arona (Arrowtown) 77 85 83
248 Sylvie Williams (Waimari Beach) 83 82 83
252 Rebekah Brownlee (Gulf Harbour) 81 83 88