Josh Geary has a sprinkle of bad luck on day three of the NZ Golf Open
By Joel Kulasingham in Queenstown
Kiwi Josh Geary has caught fire to come to within one shot of the leader after day three of the New Zealand Open.
The 34-year-old shot one of the rounds of the day, a nine-under 63 to close in on Australian Zach Murray who led since day one.
Trailing by eight when he started, Geary knew he had to produce something special and did just that – making eight birdies, an eagle and just one bogey to rocket up the leaderboard to 16-under for the tournament.
"I just had a lot of quality approach shots to sort of six to eight feet and just putted solidly," he said after his round. "I had a lot of chances. It was just one of those days where it all went pretty well right in a way.
"Obviously with Zach five shots in front [of second] it was like you have to do something special if he kept going the way he was.
"Haven't seen what he was doing now but I know he hasn't done a whole lot more than what he was. I think the field has caught up which has given a few guys more of a chance."
New Zealand's Josh Geary during Round 3 at the 100th New Zealand Golf Open. Photo / Photosport
Murray failed to find the glittering form that saw him race out to a big lead after two days but made sure he stayed a shot in front of Geary by birdieing his last two holes – including a long putt at the 18th.
"It felt good," he said of his final putt of the day. "That's what you live for in golf to hold those putts on the last and yeah gave me a few goosebumps. It's a really nice feeling and good to finish birdie-birdie."
The 21-year-old said he is looking forward to the challenge of going head-to-head with Geary on his home turf.
"It will be great. Josh will obviously have a few followers about and that will be really nice to play in front of his home crowd. But I'm thoroughly loving New Zealand at the moment."
Zach Murray of Australia during day three of the 100th New Zealand Open. Photo / Photosport
Geary will certainly be hoping to get a boost from the Arrowtown crowd in his pursuit of the Open title, something he's dreamt of since his was a young teen.
"Obviously it would mean the world being from New Zealand and winning your home Open," said Geary. "Only a pretty select few have done that and some pretty good names at that.
"Even at the age of 13, 14, dreaming of playing it let alone winning it was pretty huge. So to win it would be unbelievable."
Top-ranked Kiwi Ryan Fox couldn't take advantage of Murray's relatively slow round after a disappointing one-under 71 that left him worse off than when he started the day. A frustrated Fox said he was determined to leave it all out there tomorrow.
"I need something silly low tomorrow but Josh has done that today so I know it is out there ... I've got one more round to go and a few weeks off so I will give it one big final push tomorrow."
Leaderboard after day three
Zach Murray (Australia) -17 Josh Geary (New Zealand) -16 Harry Bateman (New Zealand) -14 Kodai Ichihara (Japan) -14 Ryuko Tokimatsu (Japan) -14
