Ting-Yu and Bishop in Faldo Series Europe Grand Final pole position
Chinese Taipei’s Chen Ting-Yu joins Wales’ Toby Bishop at the top of the leaderboard at the Faldo Series Europe Grand Final
Welshman Toby Bishop fired his second straight round in the 60s to hold on for a share of the lead heading into the final round of the Faldo Series Europe Grand Final. His round got off to an indifferent start, with two birdies set against two dropped shots, but then came alive on the tough back nine to come back in a solid 1-under par.
Of the 65 competitors, only nine managed under par rounds, with Chinese Taipei’s Chen Ting-Yu’s round of 65 the pick of the bunch. The 2017 Faldo Series Asia Under 18 Champion’s round was the lowest of the week so far and sees him enter the final round in a tie for the lead. The glittering round included a remarkable seven birdies, with just two bogeys.
Germany’s Fynn Hessenkamper provided the highlight of the day on the 304-yard 4th, holing his second shot for an eagle two.
The Al Ain Equestrian Golf Club layout proved to play tougher today, with Sir Nick Faldo himself stepping in and requesting tougher pin positions on the par threes. This change was reflected in the scoring, with only two birdies made on the par three 3rd hole all day.
Sir Nick Faldo, who conducted a long game clinic for the competitors after their second rounds, commented: “I’m loving the week and have been hugely impressed with the golf so far. I’ve tried to have a hands-on role with the course set up and felt the pins on the par threes should be in slightly more testing spots. The whole basis for the Faldo Series is to enable juniors to learn vital skills and emulate the top level of golf. Being able to play away from tricky pins is an important discipline to master in the professional game and is one that’s tested greatly at Major championships.”
With 11 players from eight countries within seven shots, all is to play for in tomorrow’s final round. The final day’s action kicks off from Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club tomorrow morning at 9 am local time and will be followed by the official prize giving hosted by Sir Nick Faldo, where the 22nd Faldo Series Champions will be crowned across the five age categories.
