The Open de España presented by Madrid heads into its final day with everything still to play for. Joe Dean and Grant Forrest share the lead on -13 and will tee off in the final group at 13:00 alongside Victor Pérez, who is just one stroke behind them. Joel Girrbach and Jacob Skov Olesen are one shot off the lead, while Ángel Ayora, sitting in third on -10, will be looking to capitalise on any opportunity to get back into the title race.
Dean comes into the round after a rollercoaster of a day on Saturday; having led by three strokes, he carded a double bogey on the 16th and a bogey on the 17th, although he finished with an impressive birdie on the last. Among the leading contenders, Skov Olesen and Ayora are the only ones yet to taste victory; Dean, Forrest, Girrbach and Perez have all previously won titles.
Spain’s hopes now lie with Ayora and Eugenio Chacarra. The former will tee off at 12.49 alongside Girrbach and Skov Olesen, while Chacarra will kick off his final round at 12.27, on -8. Sergio García, currently -4, will play at 11.16 and defending champion Marco Penge tees off at 11.27.
One of the most special pairings will be that of Pablo Larrazábal and Ángel Hidalgo, who will set out together at 10.18. Friends both on and off the course, they also played together on Saturday, when they enjoyed plenty of banter and a great atmosphere. Both are known for their expressive nature, their friendliness and rapport with the fans and the press alike. Hidalgo has even been tipped as a possible successor to Larrazábal, with whom he shares a spontaneous personality and a constant smile.
Sunday will also be pivotal for Eddie Pepperell, who tees off at 09:48. The Englishman is currently 101st in the Race to Dubai and needs to move into the top 100 to secure his DP World Tour card for next season.
With Shane Lowry teeing off at 12.05 and Ludvig Åberg at 11.49 among the big international names, the final day offers excitement everywhere you look. As well as the title, places at the Masters and The Open are up for grabs, a huge prize to round off a spectacular week at Real Club de Campo.
