Jerry Kelly and Cameron Percy will share the lead entering Sunday’s final round of the ISPS HANDA Senior Open after a fluctuating third round at Gleneagles.
Percy eagled the 18th to join Kelly at eight under par after 54 holes. Kelly carded a 3-under 67, while Percy recovered from a difficult afternoon to return a 1-over 71 in windy conditions.
The pair are three strokes clear of Peter Baker, who moved to 5-under with a 67 that included four birdies over his closing five holes.
Percy Recovers With Closing Eagle
Percy began Saturday with a three-shot advantage but bogeyed the opening hole and made a double bogey at the fourth. Kelly briefly drew level before dropping shots at the fourth, fifth and eighth, reaching the turn at 4-under and two behind.
Both players birdied the tenth before the contest changed again at the 12th. Percy was forced to recover after an error from the tee, while Kelly’s birdie produced a two-shot swing and brought them level at 6-under.
Percy then made consecutive bogeys, and Kelly claimed the outright lead with his third birdie in four holes at the 13th. Another mistake from the Australian at the 14th extended Kelly’s advantage to two, but Percy reduced the deficit with a birdie at the 16th.
The par-five 18th brought another shift. Percy hit a 405-yard drive, while Kelly used a rescue club and received a favourable kick down the fairway. Despite playing his second shot from 99 yards farther back, Kelly ran his approach to about 15 feet.
Percy was farther from the hole after his approach but converted the eagle putt to reach 8-under. Kelly missed his eagle attempt to the right before making birdie to secure his 67 and a share of the lead.
Kelly Targets Third Senior Major
Kelly, already a two-time senior major champion, said he found better form during the closing stretch after struggling to judge the pace of the greens earlier in the round.
“We scoreboard watch but it’s still Saturday,” Kelly said. “So there’s no real emotions going on for that scoreboard. Just want to position yourself for tomorrow and you want to get the job done tomorrow and that’s the key.”
Kelly also described what another senior major title would mean at this stage of his career. “Like any player, I might treasure that above all else,” he said.
Percy said his birdie-par-eagle finish changed the outlook after problems with his ball-striking and wind judgment.
“Very happy with the end there,” Percy said. “So to finish birdie, par, eagle, was very nice. I’m not out of it anymore. So that’s good.”
Darren Fichardt will begin the final round four shots behind the leaders at 4-under. Ernie Els, Pat Perez and Marcus Brier are another stroke back on 3- under.
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