Tournament host Garcia was one of four players four strokes back of runaway leader Bezuidenhout ahead of Saturday’s play, but the local favourite carded a two-over-par 73 and drifted eight shots back.
There could still yet be a Spanish winner after world number 11 Rahm signed for his best European Tour round at Valderrama – a four-under 67 – to sit level with Japan’s Hideto Tanihara.
But Bezuidenhout - aiming to become the first man to shoot four rounds in the 60s at Valderrama in over 30 years - remains the man to beat after he moved to 10 under for the tournament by recording a 69 on Saturday, his round including three birdies and one bogey.
He began with a 66 on Thursday, following up with 68 on Friday, and another sub-70 score would almost certainly secure the title.
“Going into Sunday with a five-shot lead is definitely nice,” Bezuidenhout told the European Tour’s official website. “I’ll just keep playing my game and see how I finish up.
“Rahm is a great player, he’s top 15 in the world and he’s a legend in Spain so it will be quite an experience. I haven’t played with him yet so I’m looking forward to the challenge.
“It wasn’t my best ball striking. I made some great saves on the turn through seven to nine, I got all three up-and-down there which kept the momentum going.
“I birdied 10 which settled it for me a little bit and I made another great save on 11. The score that I shot I’m really pleased with.”
0 votes
