Brandon Stone stayed in the hunt on Saturday with a three-under-par 69 lifting him to 10-under-par for the tournament heading into the final round of the Challenge Tour’s Italian Challenge Open at Golf Nazionale in Viterbo, Italy.
Stone made five birdies and two bogeys and was in a share of 10th, six shots off the lead which was held by Italy’s Matteo Manassero. Manassero, who has dominated proceedings at home, also had a three-under 69 to move to 16-under and a two-stroke lead over England’s Alex Fitzpatrick. Germany’s Marc Hammer was in third on 13-under.
And while Stone remained in contention, Zimbabwe’s Benjamin Follett-Smith had the round of the day with a bogey-free eight-under-par 64 seeing him race up the leaderboard into a share of fourth on 12-under with five other players. Stone shared 10th two shots back with two other players.
Luke Jerling had a four-under 68 to move to a share of 24th on seven-under-par. Joining him there, also with a 68, was Pieter Moolman. Casey Jarvis had a one-under 71 in the third round to also be on seven-under heading into the final round.
Jaco Prinsloo battled to a two-over-par 74 and slipped to a share of 61st.
