Just 3 back, and Ritchie in reach of Challenge de España title

Jun 17, 2021 | Featured, South Africans abroad

After a third-round of four-under-par 68, JC Ritchie heads into the final round of the Challenge Tour’s Challenge de España at the Iberostar Real Club de Golf Novo Sancti Petri in Cadiz, Spain three shots off the lead.

The Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open champion reached the 54-hole mark of the tournament at 13-under-par, and well within striking distance of the lead which is held at 16-under by Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson and Frederic Lacroix of France. Chase Hannah of the United States and Santiago Tarrio of Spain share third, two shots back. Ritchie is in a share of fifth with five others.

Ritchie made bogey on the opening hole for the second time in the tournament, but he picked up birdies on four and eight to turn in one-under. After the turn, he made three birdies in succession from the 12th to the 14th, before closing out his round with pars all the way home.

Jacques Blaauw carded a third round of three-under-par 69 to head into the final round at none-under for the tournament. Oliver Bekker was one stroke further back after a 69 third round of his own, while Bryce Easton signed for a one-under 71 to be five-under heading into the final round. Jayden Schaper joined Easton on five-under after he went two-over for the third round.

Ritchie currently lies 13th on the Challenge Tour rankings, and a good finish – or even a win – will go a long way to making sure he finishes the season with a European Tour card.

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