KLM Open 2019: Sergio Garcia, Callum Shinkwin battle for victory

Callum Shinkwin is back at the top of the KLM Open leaderboard after the third round, alongside Spain’s Sergio Garcia, with the pair sat at -15.

Callum Shinkwin led the 2019 KLM Open after shooting a 66 in the first round, but dropped back during the second day’s action. Meanwhile, Garcia has come through the field over the course of Friday and Saturday to join the Englishman at the top of the leaderboard heading into Sunday’s dramatic final round.

The pair both carded third rounds of 66 to move two shots clear of the chasing pack with 18 holes to play at The International, just outside of Amsterdam.

Denmark’s Nicola Hojgaard currently sits on his own in third at the KLM, with England’s James Morrison a further shot behind. The pair have both carded three rounds in the 60s, and will be looking to do so again on Sunday to have a chance of winning.

A trio of Englishman sit at -11 after three days in the Netherlands, in Steven Brown, Matt Wallace and Matthew Southgate. Wallace started the week with a three-over par 75, but has battled back with a 67 on Friday, followed by a course-record 63 on Saturday to put him in contention.

Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren is the final man within five shots of the leading pair. He sits a further shot clear of a gaggle of players who currently stand at -9 at the KLM.

They include D+D Real Czech Masters champion Thomas Pieters, and the leading Dutchman, Will Besseling. The latter started his week with a 72, but has improved to shoot nine-under across the middle two rounds of the event.

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A shot further back sits the experienced home favourite in Joost Luiten. The Dutchman has scarped three under-par rounds to sit at -8, seven behind the leading duo.

Saturday was a bad day for overnight leader Scott Jamieson, who shot a four-over 76 to go from leading by two, to trailing by eight, a huge ten-shot swing.

Compatriot Euan Walker sits a further shot back. Considering it is the Scot’s first event on the European Tour, it has been one hell of a week for the youngster. He is level with the likes of Jamie Donaldson and Padraig Harrington with 18 to play at the KLM.

Patrick Reed sits a -5, ten back, while Dutch amateur Koen Kouwenaar is now at -3, after carding 75 on the third day.

Reigning KLM Open champion Ashun Wu has lost his grip on the title he won in 2018. The Chinese star sits at -2, 13 shots behind the leading pair after hooting 69, 72, 73 so far in the Netherlands.

13:15 local time (GMT+2) is the start time for the two leaders, in Garcia and Shinkwin, in what Ould turn out to be a two-way battle to the finish. If it is, will it be the experienced Spaniard that takes the victory? Or could the young Englishman grab his maiden European Tour title?

KLM Open 2019 Leaderboard:

T1 (-15): Sergio Garcia (ESP), Callum Shinkwin (ENG)

3 (-13): Nicolai Hojgaard (DEN)

4 (-12): James Morrison (ENG)

T5 (-11): Matthew Southgate, Steven Brown, Matt Wallace (all ENG)

8 (-10): Joakim Lagergren (SWE)

T9 (-9): Eduardo de la Riva (ESP), Thomas Pieters (BEL), Wil Besseling (NED), Hugo Leon (CHL), George Coetzee (RSA), Jeff Winther (DEN)