Armitage stays the course. Racingmen Lacroix and Ravetto in ambush

Share this article

Share the post “Armitage stays the course. Racingmen Lacroix and Ravetto in ambush”

Less energetic than the day before, Marcus Armitage nevertheless preserves the leadership of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship after 36 holes. The Englishman, author of a solid 69 (-3), is at -12 (132) two strokes ahead of his compatriot Daniel Brown and the Spaniard Alejandro Del Rey. Respectively 66 (-6) and 68 (-4) this Friday, Frédéric Lacroix (photo) and David Ravetto hold on to 5th place at -7 (137). Five other tricolors cross the cut set at -1.

L.V.

Certainly, it blew much less strongly this afternoon on the Al Hamra Golf Club of Ras Al Khaimah but enough, however, for the leaderboard to tighten in accounting terms. Leader Thursday evening with four shots in advance, Marcus Armitage only has two left before Moving Day.

Find the complete ranking and tee times for the 3rd round

The Englishman, looking for a second success on the European Tour after the Porsche European Open 2021continued this Friday with a solid 69 (-3) after his breathtaking 63 (-9) completed in a windless morning. The 37-year-old golfer had a magnificent end to the game by hitting three birdies on his last four holes, de facto giving his day a little more depth.

At -12 (132), he is two lengths ahead of his compatriot Daniel Brownunleashed with his 64 (-8) of the day, and the Spaniard Alejandro Del Rey66 (-6) today and one of the few to have swam Thursday in the gusts of wind after lunch… Winner of the Down Bank Golf Challenge December 8 at Gary Player in Sun City (South Africa), the American Johannes Veerman64, also occupies 4th place alone at -8 (136).

I knew it was going to be harder today. But I always remained calm on the course and my patience was rewarded at the end.

« I knew it was going to be harder todayunderlines Marcus Armitage at the release of the recording. But I always remained calm on the course and my patience was rewarded at the end. So I'm very happy. »

« I just wanted to break 70 todayhe continues. That was the little goal I set for myself. I got there thanks to one last great move (Editor's note, above on the par 5 of the 18th by placing his 3rd shot less than 50 centimeters from the flag). Now let's see what the weekend has in store for us. »

With five moves behind on the lead before this famous Moving Day where the cards can be largely redistributed, Frédéric Lacroix et David Ravetto are ideally placed in ambush. In any case, it's a nice rebound for the first city which did not make the cut last week in Dubai. As for the second, after a complicated end to 2024 (missed cut to Leopard Creek then to theIle Maurice), let 45e place have premier Rolex Series of the year and therefore this new validated weekend is enough to give him confidence…

Breakage among the big names…

Five other French golfers will be there for the next two rounds. Julien Guerrier67 (-5), appears in 20th place at -4 (140), just like Adrien Saddier (69). Next Ugo Coussaud (42nd to -2) then Mike Lorenzo-Vera et Tom Vaillant (55s to -1).

However, this does not work for the four promoted from the Challenge Tour (Levy, Hébert, Covered, Pineau) nor for Romain Langasqueweighed down by a difficult 75 (+3) and even less for Martin Trainerout of the picture with his two cards of 82 and 75. A 2nd round which clearly did damage since the New Zealander Daniel Hillier2nd in Hero Dubaï Desert Classic a few days ago, stays at the dock, just like the Englishman Paul Waringthe American winner atAustralian Open December 1st, Ryggs Johnstonthe Northern Irishman Tom McKibbinthe Belgian of LIFE Golf Thomas Pieters or even the Dane Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen91st in the world.