Faldo makes move

Nick Faldo was today boosting his chances of qualifying for next week’s $5.5m (€5.5m) American Express Championship in the Linde German Masters.

Faldo currently lies 21st in the Order of Merit and needs to move into the top 20 on Sunday evening to earn a place in the limited field at Mount Juliet and a guaranteed minimum payday of around $25,000 (€25,700).

With 20th placed Darren Clarke not playing this week and the man above him, Open championship runner-up Thomas Levet, missing the cut in Cologne, Faldo knows he needs just over £16,000 (€16,000) to move into the top 20.

That equates to 30th place at Gut Larchenhof, and the six-time major winner was moving in the right direction in the early stages of Saturday’s third round.

Rounds of 71 and 70 saw the former world number one make the cut by one stroke at three under par, nine shots behind halfway leader and Ryder Cup vice-captain Ian Woosnam.

The 45-year-old made the perfect start on a misty morning with a birdie on the first, and picked up further shots at the third and fifth to be out in 33.

At six under par he was just inside the top 30, although he would be looking to pick up several more birdies and could still have to rely on the results of others who could overtake him.

Worthing’s Gary Evans is in 23rd place on the money list some £25,000 (€25,700) behind Faldo, and is just three off the lead at nine under.

And Welshman Bradley Dredge is one place and £10,000 (€10,000) further back in the standings and was six under after two holes of his third round.