Marcel Siem Makes A Big Run At The Race To Dubai In Turkey

Jun 15, 2014; Pinehurst, NC, USA; Martin Kaymer (right) celebrates after putting out on the 18th green with Marcel Siem (left) during the final round of the 2014 U.S. Open golf tournament at Pinehurst Resort Country Club – #2 Course. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Marcel Siem fired a six under par 66 on Saturday to get within one shot of the lead at the Turkish Airlines Open on the Montgomerie Maxx Royal golf course in Antalya, Turkey. Siem, who has already won one of the four Race To Dubai playoff events at the BMW Masters two weeks ago, is one of three players who still has a mathematical chance to beat Rory McIlroy for the Race To Dubai Championship.

Due to a thunderstorms on Friday in Turkey, the 34 year-old German finished up his second round early Saturday morning before getting started on his third round. Siem made one bogey in his third round at the par three fifth hole, and with seven birdies on his card, was able to overcome the slow start on Thursday, and is in a three-way tie for second place.

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Adelaide, Australia native, Wade Ormsby made it to the clubhouse with a four under par, 68 effort on Saturday to take the one-shot lead into the final on Sunday. There are still players who have not finished their third rounds, but Ormsby’s lead looks to be safe overnight. Ormsby is a 34 year-old Aussie who is from Adam Scott’s hometown.

Ormsby, and others at the top of the leaderboard can thank Ian Poulter for their opportunity this week. Poulter had a horrible day on Saturday, and carded a three over par 75 for his third round. Poulter looked confused on the tee, and wasn’t able to warm up his usually solid putter.

The huge greens at the Colin Montgomerie designed layout are easy targets, but require accurate tee shots in order to get close to these pins. Players can be on the green, and need a driver to get to the hole.

Poulter shares second place with Siem, and Lee Westwood, who also put up some nice shots, and numbers in the third round. Westwood fired a five under par 67 on Saturday, and the highlight of his day, was an eagle two at the par four 7th hole. Two bogeys kept him from grabbing the lead.

American, Brooks Koepka shot a two under 70 in round three, after carding a five under 67 to finish off his second round. Koepka is ranked 61st in Official World Golf Rankings, and a good finish in Turkey would earn him a spot in next week’s Race To Dubai finale’. The 24 year-old Florida State grad is ranked 43rd in RTD points, and needs to be in the top 60 to earn a trip to Dubai next week.

Don’t look now, but John Daly is on the move again. The 48 year-old two-time major champ fired a five under on Saturday, and is at eight under par, only four shots back. Daly had a rough second round, shooting even par, but coupled with a three under effort on Thursday, is tied for eighth place with a large group that includes another American, Peter Uihlein.

Sergio Garcia is an example of too little-too late, but the Spaniard shot a seven under par on Saturday to make some strides up the leaderboard. Garcia is still alive in the Race To Dubai, but is at five under par for the championship, and will be seven strokes back when action resumes on Sunday.

Race To Dubai number two, Jamie Donaldson continues to struggle in Turkey with all three rounds in the 70’s and at two under for the championship, is pretty much done for the Race.

Rory McIlroy doesn’t seem worried about wining his second Race To Dubai Championship, and well he shouldn’t be. The only challenger at this point is Marcel Siem, and Siem would need to win this week, and again next week, with McIlroy finishing 17th or worse. I’m ready to give Rory the trophy, and all the money now, but I want to see him earn it next week in Dubai!

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