Bobby Gates Surges to The Lead at The Australian PGA

Bobby Gates shot a one under 71 on Saturday to take a one shot lead at the Australian PGA, as he looks to get his second win worldwide this year.

Gates made just two birdies in his third round at the Hyatt Regency Coolum golf course, but it was enough to take the lead at (-12) as John Senden and Liang Wen-Chong struggled shooting rounds over par on Friday.

If he can hold on in the final round, the victory would cap quite the year for the 24-year old in which he won on the USA’s Nationwide Tour and secured a PGA Tour card for the 2011 season.  Not to mention, he’ll be trying to become the first American winner of the Aussie PGA in nearly three decades.

Gates has the bookmakers’ full attention and he’ll tee off the final round as a strong (2-1) favourite.

Second on the betting board is 51-year old Aussie veteran Peter Senior (a fitting name in such a young field) who’ll look to turn back the clock and recapture a title that he won back in 2003.

Senior was one of the few who managed to go low in the 3rd round in what was a tough day in Coolum.  The man with 27 career victories shot an impressive 68 on Saturday, including a clinical 32 on the back nine, to sit in tie for second with Aaron Townsend at (-11).

The books don’t seemed deterred by Senior’s age as they’ve slotted him just behind Gates at (4-1).

Townsend has been a model of consistency so far this week having not shot a round over 70 thru the opening 54 holes.

Well, in reality, he was consistent thru the first 51 holes and could have held a two shot lead heading to the final round if it hadn’t been for three straight bogies to conclude his third round.

However, if he can clean up the late bogies, he’s got a real shot at the win, especially if Gates and/or Senior falter early, as Townsend has been torching the front nine all week.  It really would be no surprise if he holds the lead at the turn tomorrow, but the question is can he hold on for the win?

The books seem to have similar questions as he’ll go out at (6-1).

John Senden was the favourite heading to round three, but he struggled to a 74 in round three and will tee off on Sunday fourth on the board at (10-1).

Forget your opponents; always play against par  -Sam Snead