Staff WriterThe Amgen Irish Open has a knack for drama, and Saturday at The K Club was no exception. Adrien Saddier will march into the final round with a one-shot lead, though you wouldn’t know it by the way Angel Hidalgo turned the Palmer North Course into his own personal fireworks display.
Saddier’s four-under-par 68 moved him to 15-under after 54 holes, but it was Hidalgo’s video-game burst of scoring that stole the show.
The Spaniard stitched together seven consecutive birdies on the front nine, then added five more before the curtain dropped. In between, there was a double bogey on 16 that dumped him in the drink, but he still signed for a nine-under 63 to sit just a shot back.
Another Spaniard, Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, lurks at 12-under in third, while Rory McIlroy, who has a bit of history with this place, is tied for fourth at 11-under. With one more bogey-free 68 on the card, McIlroy has inched himself into the conversation for a second Amgen Irish Open title, nine years after his first on this very course.
Saddier steady, Hidalgo electric
Saddier, fresh off his maiden DP World Tour title at the Italian Open earlier this season, did just enough to edge ahead. Three bogeys, seven birdies, and a mixture of patience and persistence gave him the overnight lead.
“It was pretty good today,” Saddier admitted. “A pretty good start for me, I was two under after three, then four was pretty tough. I was quite surprised with the score to be honest but I think I managed the course pretty well with my low moments and my high moments. I feel happy about that 68.”
The Frenchman added that he’s keeping things simple heading into Sunday: “There is still 18 holes to play, so a lot of things can happen… I’m focused on tomorrow and what I have to do and what I can control. We’ll see what happens.”
As for Hidalgo, the 27-year-old was in full flight until the 16th got in the way. Even then, he equalled the DP World Tour record for birdies in a single round with 12.
“I felt for a few moments that I was playing on the PlayStation, to be honest,” Hidalgo said. “Every single shot was directly to the pin… I’m so happy. Obviously now you remember the 16th, but you need to remember the few recoveries I did… and obviously the birdie on 18 to finish with good feelings for tomorrow.”
McIlroy and Lowry keep Irish eyes smiling
McIlroy’s second bogey-free card in as many days leaves him within striking distance, the galleries roaring him home as if the Amgen Irish Open was a Ryder Cup warm-up.
Fellow Irishman Shane Lowry, the only Amgen ambassador to make the weekend, scratched out a 70, which included four birdies. More importantly, his efforts triggered another €2,000 donation to Make-A-Wish Ireland through the Birdies for Wishes campaign. In total, €12,300 will head to the charity after Saturday’s haul of birdies and eagles on the 18th.
Final round set for fireworks
With Saddier clinging to the slimmest of cushions, Hidalgo chasing like a man who doesn’t know the meaning of caution, and McIlroy waiting to pounce, Sunday at The K Club promises the kind of closing act the Amgen Irish Open specialises in—equal parts pressure cooker and street fight.
If the first three days are any indication, don’t blink. Someone’s about to write a story worth retelling in County Kildare for years to come.
