Senden wants second Australian Open title

John Senden leads after three rounds and is looking for a second Australian Open victory.

John Senden is aiming for his second Australian Open after a third round nine-under-par 63, a new course record for the newly redesigned Lakes golf course. Senden finished the day on 12-under par for the tournament.

A chasing pack of players is lead by Jason Day one shot back at 11-under par. Celebrating his 24th birthday, the new favourite of Australian galleries shot a third round 68 to position himself nicely ahead of today’s final round.

Senden was a favourite among experts before the tournament began thanks to some good form in the latter end of the PGA Tour.

“It has been great. I’ve had a good season in America and finished up well in the Fed Ex Cup. I had a good run of tournaments through Malaysia and also in Shanghai last week where I finished 19th. I was playing solid. I like to come home and play my way into these events.”, Senden said after his round yesterday.

Senden has played great golf since missing out on selection for the Presidents Cup and will be keen to make amends for that disappointment with a second Stonehaven Cup win.

“It (not being selected in the team) was a disappointment. I was never really in the run for it until Fed Ex Cup time. There were a lot of guys in front of me like Robert and Aaron and Vijay. Sabbatini was in there. When I played well at the BMW Championship, I felt if I had won that I would have played my way onto the team with the points. Coming second did not quite get me there.” Senden said.

“We look at Greg as our idol. Hopefully they can get it done next week. I am disappointed that I am not there.”

Who else can win?
Keep a close eye on the Western Australian pairing in Greg Chalmers and Nick O’Hern. Both will feel very comfortable playing with each other and could provide a good base for a shot at Senden’s lead. I’d be very surprised if one of these guys doesn’t get a look at the lead at some point today.

Watching Nick Watney over the previous three days gave me the impression his game hasn’t quite clicked yet. Even so, he sits three shots behind Senden at 3-under par and is a big chance today. If conditions stay fine, Watney could snatch the Stonehaven Cup.

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