Reminiscences of final yr’s final-round 63 on the Australian PGA Championship can be recent within the thoughts of Anthony Quayle on Sunday when he makes an attempt to win the Joe Kirkwood Cup for the primary time.
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The Port Macquarie-born Quayle shares the PGA lead at Royal Queensland’s $2.5 million occasion at 13-under with Spain’s David Puig and Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia.
Quayle completed in a tie for third in final yr’s PGA after storming residence with a closing spherical of eight-under.
Something near that on Sunday will take him a good distance in the direction of beginning his DP World Tour marketing campaign in the very best approach.
“Going into the final spherical final yr I used to be driving right here with my girlfriend and I keep in mind saying to her ‘I might exit and shoot 62 at the moment and contend and it might change every thing’,” Quayle mentioned on Saturday after his third-round 67 on Saturday.
“I didn’t shoot 62, (however) I shot 63 and I did contend, and it did begin to change issues for me.
“That final spherical was simply such a large momentum shift with my profession in latest occasions and I believe (Sunday) might be one other probability to take it one other step additional.”
Nonetheless, even when Quayle falls brief on Sunday, he’ll look again on the week fondly, significantly with having Tiger Woods’ former caddie Steve Williams carrying his bag.
“I’ve already discovered a lot working with Steve … and possibly additionally discovered a bit about my very own recreation and the way that stacks up towards some fairly good gamers,” he mentioned.
“You could possibly most likely name (the week) a win irrespective (of Sunday’s end result).
“Both approach I’ve had a enjoyable week, and it’s one thing I’ll keep in mind for a fairly very long time.”
Amongst these chasing Quayle on Sunday would be the likes of prime Australian stars Min Woo Lee (12-under), Adam Scott (11-under) and Marc Leishman (11-under).
“It ought to make for a fairly thrilling Sunday viewing. Ensure you tune in I might say,” he mentioned.
“All of us wish to win, so I might be very shocked in the event that they didn’t wish to come out and attempt to shoot the perfect rating they will to win.
“My job is to stop that from taking place. I simply wish to exit and preserve doing what I’m doing.
“The best way I’m enjoying in the meanwhile, I’m giving myself so many appears that I can shoot a very nice rating.”
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Elsewhere, Lee has declared he’s able to reclaim the Joe Kirkwood Cup as he stalks the trio of leaders heading into Sunday’s closing spherical.
Lee, who received the occasion in 2023, shot a 67 on Saturday to maneuver to 12-under and a shot adrift of the three leaders Quayle, Puig and Gouveia.
Becoming a member of Lee at 12-under is New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori, who shot at third-round 69 after main the match in the beginning of play on Saturday.
“It’s thrilling, and it’s going to be difficult, so it’ll be enjoyable,” Lee mentioned in reflecting on his process of taking down a number of prime gamers on Sunday to say his second PGA title.
“It’s simply a type of programs the place you’ll be able to go low. You could have your full A recreation, however for those who’re just a bit off it may well chew you within the butt, otherwise you simply can’t make birdies.
“No-one’s damaged within the pack, however hopefully (Sunday is) the day for it,
“I’m going to be assured. I really feel like I haven’t had my greatest stuff but, so hopefully (Sunday) might be that day.
“It’s been good enjoyable. The help’s been superior.”
Scott, in the meantime, was four-under by way of 9 holes earlier than the climate delay hit after which hit two-straight birdies to take a share of the lead, solely to bogey on his subsequent gap and end the day 11-under, admitting “it’s going to need to be a magnificence tomorrow”.
Rising LIV Golf star Puig, in the meantime, was excellent in capturing a bogey-free six-under 65.
“I simply performed regular,” Spaniard Puig mentioned
“You may’t miss second photographs right here to the mistaken facet, The pins are actually tucked in, and also you’ve bought to play to the fats a part of the inexperienced, and I believe I did that fairly good.
“That made me have a bogey-free spherical, to start with, and never have a lot stress in addition to two or three holes within the center.
“It the course is slightly most likely softer than what it normally is, which most likely makes it slightly simpler for the non-Australians.
“I assume it’s going to play most likely slightly sooner (on Sunday), slightly firmer, and have fairly powerful pins, so most likely 17-18 beneath (can be wanted to win).
“I’ve by no means performed in Australia in addition to the LIV occasion in Adelaide, and I used to be actually trying ahead to enjoying in several cities, and particularly large cities like this week and subsequent week (within the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne).
“You guys have wonderful golf programs right here. Discovering that point to be right here enjoying at this course, it meant so much. I’m glad that I’m really doing fairly good.”
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