Windred built for four-sided showdown

Blake Windred on Saturday at the AAC 2019. (Photo: Golf Australia / Justin Falconer)

If Friday was a rut, Blake Windred was brutal on Saturday for the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship 2019.

The World No.11 is on a four-fold stand for the lead, as there are only 18 holes left to decide which of the best amateurs in Asia will go to the 2020 Masters and The 149th Open.

Windred started the first day before the field and after a roller coaster 2-over-74 a part of the lead with another round feels like a victory.

"This is why I practice every day," said Windred.

"I love things like this and I've always dreamed of playing on TV for my family.

“I dreamed of these things. I would like to close a low round tomorrow. "

The New South Welshman is tied to the top with the Japanese duo Ren Yonezawa and Yuto Katsuragawa and Yung-Hua Liu in Taiwan.

Korean won Jun Lee and defending champion Takumi Kanaya one step back and set up an exciting final day.

Windred broke out of the pack with his first bird of the day on the par-4 5th, climbing to 11-under for the first time this week.

Standing on the 8th tee, his lead had grown to two, with the Japanese pair Yonezawa and Katsuragawa both at 9-under.

But Windred tore his tee off the limits and after lying on the par-5, centimeters of hollowing out came to par.

“I had forgotten that I was actually a bogeyman there because I felt that I was going very fast. To go up and down, it just felt like a little bird, "said Windred.

Another bogey followed, this time from the fairway at the brutal par-4 9th, Windred & # 39; s buffer suddenly only one as he slid back to 9-under.

But a monster on the hill at 10 helped Windred to save par and from that moment on it was a slog all the way back to the clubhouse.

"I just struck a good putt," Windred said. “I was so happy with that. That felt like a little bird. "

The 21-year-old made bogeys at 11 and 12 to slip to 7-under for the first time since the 16th hole on Thursday.

He wasn't the only one who fought to stay afloat, leaderboards across Sheshan International were furiously updated as the bogeys began to flow.

"I certainly looked," said Windred. "It didn't scare me at all.

& # 39; I know there is another round to go. I know it's about putting myself in a good position. I still lead. "

Windred was two backs of playing partner Yonezawa who was on the 18th tee before a potential tournament-defining two-shot swing unfolded.

After getting up, Windred stiffened his approach to a meter below the hole and coolly cooled the putt for birdie, while the Japanese young rifle ran away with a bogey.

"I didn't feel great mentally on the 18th tee," said Windred.

“But I just remembered that there was another day and another chance to get a low score and take the trophy home. That pumped me up a bit, and then I was in the right room to make a birdie the last time. "

***

For the other Australians and it was Karl Vilips who lit Sheshan & # 39; in the morning with four little birds in his 11 openings.

Another bird on 16 took Vilips to 5-for the day and temporarily in conflict, before a crippling double-bow at 18 meant he had to settle for a Saturday 69 to be 4-under for the week.

Two shots further back for the week are Nathan Barbieri (71) and Jack Thompson (73) in a 16th share that both are unable to produce their best wave so far this week.

David Micheluzzi (70) and Kyle Michel (72) both achieved their lowest scores in the third round, but will probably both play their final round as amateurs before becoming professional tomorrow.