MADRID (AP) — Irish golfer Paul Dunne held onto a one-shot lead of the Spanish Open after shooting a 4-under 68 through the third round on Saturday. Dunne moved to 17 under overall after making five birdies, to go with one bogey, at the Centro Nacional de Golf.
Nacho Elvira of Spain (66) reduced Dunne’s three-shot overnight lead to a single stroke. World No. 4 Jon Rahm (66) and Henric Sturehed of Sweden (66) finished the day two strokes back.
Rahm, a local favorite coming off a fourth-place finish at the Masters, made seven birdies to move into contention.
Dunne, who won the British Masters last year, is seeking his second European tour title.
There was a lot of grinding there on the back nine but I’m happy to get in with 4 under,” Dunne said. “Probably wouldn’t have taken it at the start of the day but given the shots that I hit, I’m pretty happy with it leading into tomorrow.”