Rain arrives in Portugal
Heavy rain today greeted the early starters in the third round of the Portuguese Open.
After two days of bright, if breezy, weather on Portugal’s Atlantic coast, the forecast rain finally arrived on Saturday morning.
There was also the threat of a thunderstorm later in the day which could disrupt the £870,000 (€1.3bn) event at Oitavos Golf Club.
Former Ryder Cup player Paul Broadhurst shared the halfway lead with Portugal’s Jose-Filipe Lima on eight under par, one ahead of English duo Simon Dyson and Barry Lane.
Former Open champion Paul Lawrie was among a group of players a shot further back after a double bogey on the 17th hole yesterday when he was disturbed by a photographer at the top of his swing.
“It’s just one of those things but I was very upset at the time,” admitted Lawrie, who has slumped to 346th in the world rankings and finished 140th on the Order of Merit last season.
That would have cost him his tour card for this season but for a 10-year exemption for his victory at Carnoustie in 1999.
“He was obviously trying to time his picture at impact which is ridiculous. It was right on my change of direction.
“It’s a shame because I was playing really well. I’m starting to hit the ball solidly, see the shots and execute them. We are getting there.”
