Czech Masters: Thomas Pieters Takes Two Shot Lead Into Sunday

With only 18 holes remaining in the Czech Masters defending champion Thomas Pieters hit the front on his own and will carry a two-shot lead into Sunday.

On a beautiful day in Prague, scoring conditions were close to perfect on Saturday at D+D REAL Czech Masters. The course seemed set up to allow someone to come and grab this week’s European Tour event by the throat in round three, but it never fully transpired.

There were low rounds achieved on Saturday, but the majority of them came from further back in the chasing pack, and as a result, things remain finely poised heading into the final 18 holes at the Albatross Golf Resort.

Although the lead certainly isn’t out of reach for those in pursuit from behind, catching the man at the front might present an entirely different problem.

More from European tour

Having claimed his first European Tour win at this same venue last year, Belgium’s Thomas Pieters continued to show just how at home he feels playing in the Czech capital.

Pieters carded his worst round of the week so far on Saturday, yet still managed to post a two-under-par total for his third round. Four birdies were counteracted by a rough spell of back-to-back bogeys on holes 11 and 12, but all in all Pieters had to feel optimistic after posting a 70 and holding a two-shot lead on 12-under-par overall.

The 24-year-old told the European Tour’s website:

"“I’m not very happy with today but I’m still in front so I’m just looking forward tomorrow and hopefully I can post a good score. It was the same last year, I was one ahead, so I’ve been in this position and hopefully I can just use what I learned the last time.”“I feel quite relaxed out there with my caddie and we have a good game plan so everything is set to go well tomorrow.”"

Paul Peterson, an American ranked just inside the world’s top 400, is best placed to challenge Pieters following a low-round of 64 on the day. Peterson has yet to post better than a tied 25th place finish on the European Tour this year and spends a lot of his time on the Asia Tour.

England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick continues to move towards finalizing his Ryder Cup spot, as he’s within striking distance of the lead at seven-under. Fitzpatrick is part of a group of players tied for sixth that also includes multiple time winners on tour such as Robert Karlsson and David Howell.

Lee Westwood failed to make up any major ground for his own Ryder Cup aspirations as a third round 70 leaves him down the field on four-under in a tie for 24th. Westwood will be hoping for a big day on Sunday, as will John Daly, who also sits on four-under following a 71 on Saturday.

Czech Masters – Day 3 Scores and Leaderboard

1. Thomas Pieters — 70 (-12)

2. Paul Peterson — 64 (-10)

T3. Jeff Winther — 73 (-9)

T3. Robert Rock — 65 (-6)

5. Graeme Storm — 68 (-8)

Next: Wyndham Championship: Low Round Shoots Si Woo Kim Into Halfway Lead

The final round’s action will get underway at 7.25am local time on Sunday, with the leader teeing off at 12.20pm.

Home/European tour