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Pablo Larrazábal hits the front after flawless third round
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Pablo Larrazábal hits the front after flawless third round

Pablo Larrazábal heads into the final round of the 2023 KLM Open with a one-shot lead after Saturday's spotless 67 saw him take over at the top.

The Spaniard began the day five shots off the lead but carded five birdies and no bogeys on Moving Day to get to ten under par.

Larrazábal, who is chasing a ninth DP World Tour title just one month on from his last victory at the Korea Championship Presented by Genesis, saved his best until last, producing a stunning par save on the 18th to keep his card clean.

Dane Rasmus Højgaard and Spain's Adrian Otaegui finished the day as Larrazábal's nearest challengers on nine under, with Adrian Meronk, Gavin Green, Todd Clements and Daniel Hillier another shot back in a tie for fourth.

Larrazábal made his first birdie of the day from close range at the third before taking advantage of the front nine's two par threes - the sixth and eighth - to reach the turn in 33.

After starting the back nine with a birdie from 14 feet, Larrazábal reached ten under with a monster birdie putt at the 16th.

With others faltering around him, Larrazábal had a good chance to set the clubhouse target but his chances of doing so were hit as he got into trouble at the 18th.

However, after finding the fairway with his third shot, Larrazábal managed to get up and down for a hugely significant par thanks to a nerveless 14-foot putt on the green.

The 40-year-old came into the week fresh from playing four rounds at last week's US PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club and admitted rest will be important ahead of the final round.

He said: "We're going to have to do a lot of good things now. Calm down, hit some balls and practise a little bit.

"And we're going to have to rest very well because my batteries are running down.

"But I'm happy, I'm playing great and I'm enjoying the moment."

Speaking about the importance of his par save on the last, Larrazábal added: "I think that was the only chance I had all day to make a bogey so it was very important.

"I'm very proud of today. My game wasn't as good as the first round but I hung in there."

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