American Amanda Doherty (-12) and Scotland's Ewen Ferguson (-11) lead after three rounds of the ISPS HANDA World Invitational in Northern Ireland. The LPGA rookie is one length ahead of England's Georgia Hall and Taiwan's Peyun Chien. Pauline Roussin Bouchard, the only survivor of the tricolor clan achieves an excellent 67 (-6) for the day and is in 16th position at -5.

Handa World Invitational: Doherty and Ferguson in the lead, Roussin-Bouchard 16th

Amanda Doherty – USA – ISPS HANDA World Invitational Presented by Aviv Clinics, Galgorm Castle and Massereene Golf Club. Northern Ireland. Credit: Tristan Jones/LET

For the ladies it's the American Amanda Doherty (-12) who is in control with 1 small point ahead of the English Georgia hall who signs a superb 67 (-6) and the Taiwanese Peiyun Dog. Pauline Roussin-Bouchard 16th at -5, will be the only French representative this Sunday after a second cut remaining open to the first 35 and tied for women and men.

Le ISPS HANDA World Invitational Presented by Aviv Clinics, Galgorm is co-sanctioned by the LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour (LET), and the DP World Tour. (The course of Galgorm Castle GC is played in par 73 for women and par 70 for men)

“I feel like overall it was a good day. I got off to a bit of a rough start and also played some really good shots today, keeping me going and trying to stay patient to keep an acceptable lap.” Doherty said.

“Going into the second round and today I was pretty much placed in the same spot, so I felt like I had a bit of experience with that this week. Obviously the final round is a bit different and I'm excited.

“I was happy to birdie the 18. I had a few tight putts and nothing went in, so it was good to have that one. I was in contention several times last year on the Epson Tour. I didn't manage any, but I feel like I made some good finals. That's all you can ask for. You can't control what other people do. As long as I can have a solid final round, I will be very happy.

 


It was also a solid round for the Major winner Gorgia Hall, who posted on route du Galgorm Castle Golf Club a card of 70 (-3), four birdies against three bogeys and a tap-in for eagle. "I'm a little disappointed with this round, to be honest," Hall said.

“I had a very solid first leg, I was very happy with it, then the back nine was too slow for me. “I really didn't set anything up. I missed a few putts, but I made a great birdie putt on the 18th and that gives me a chance for tomorrow. I think I should have played a little better than that. I just need to train now and prepare for tomorrow.

“That's where I want to be in the standings. I want to keep putting myself in pressure situations like this, in contention. The more I can, the more I think I have to come out on top here or there.

On the gentlemen's side, it is Ewen Ferguson (-11), who has been in charge since day one, with a three-stroke lead at the start of the last lap. The 26-year-old Scotsman won the Qatar Masters last March, and is heading straight for a second success on the DP World Tour in 2022. Author of a card of 68 (-2), Ferguson is ahead of 3 lengths the American John Catlin, who for his part posted a very good 66 (-4).

For the rest of the tricolor clan who passed the first cut on Friday, the second barrage on Saturday was fatal. Don't come back this sunday Agathe Sauzon et Celine Herbin who respectively finish 40th in par and 53rd (+2). Gentlemen's side Adrian Saddier, 14th at halfway, fails by a small point in 39th place, at +1, Victor Riu et Mathieu Decottignies-Lafon finish lower in the standings, respectively 50th (+2) and 64th (+11).

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Six French women at the start in Northern Ireland