Ace puts Cutler in sight of Euro glory
He will bid today to become the fourth Irish winner of this crown in eight years, following in the footsteps of Stephen Browne at Odense in Denmark in 2001, Brian McElhinney at Nairn in 2003 and Rory McIlroy at Biella in Italy in 2006.
The brilliant Portstewart star, who captured a maximum six matchplay points as Ireland retained their European team title in Turin last month, aced the 145-yard 13th on his way to a three-under par 68, which lifted him to the top of the leaderboard with one round remaining.
That excellent score gave Cutler a 54-hole total of 209 — four under par and a one-stroke advantage over German Stephen Gross and English international Luke Goddard.
Cutler went out in two under par 34 with two birdies in the first three holes and came home in the same total, his ace following a birdie three at the 12th.
Dubliner Niall Kearney is also in contention for a medal on the final day of this high-profile tournament, the winner of which will secure a spot in next year’s Open at Turnberry.
Kearney, from Royal Dublin, who had fired the competition’s lowest score — 66 — on Thursday, returned a 71 yesterday, comprising halves of 34 and 37 for a three-round aggregate of 211 and fourth spot.
A couple of bogeys at the beginning of the homeward half prevented Kearney from joining Cutler at the top of the leaderboard.
Shane Lowry, from Esker Hills, who needs a good finish today to stand any chance of taking top spot in the world amateur rankings, is not all that far away after a solid one under par 70.
Lowry came home in 33, which included birdies on 13 and 14 and is now on the 114 mark sharing 10th place.
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