Golf: Sir Bob in Top 10

Sir Bob Charles jumped into the top-10 as local professional Anthony Doyle took a stranglehold on the Shirley Open golf tournament after the third round in Christchurch yesterday.

Doyle, club professional at Christchurch Golf Club, fired a third successive round in the 60s yesterday to move to 12 under par after three rounds. He will take an eight-shot lead into tomorrow's final round in the Charles Tour event.

However, attention was focused on 73-year-old Charles, who fired a two-under 70 to jump from a share of 21st place to a tie for 10th. He will be in the fourth to last group for the final round.

Waikato golfer Emily Perry grabbed her second Charles Tour women's title of the season when she produced a superb final round three-under par 71. Perry came from three shots behind overnight leaders Zoe Brake and Caroline Bon to win by five shots in the 54-hole contest for the women.

Perry was the leading woman at the Wairakei Open and runner-up in both the Tauranga Open and Taranaki Open events on the Charles Tour.

Doyle was again in total command yesterday, extending his advantage to seven shots with three birdies in the opening nine before mixing a further birdie with a solitary dropped shot for his three-under 69.

He has a whopping eight-shot lead over Cambridge professional Andrew Searle, who shot a one-over 73.

The 2003 New Zealand Open champion Mahal Pearce (Dunedin) also shot 73 to share third place on one-under par with 18-year-old Simon Brownlee (Gulf Harbour), who is the leading amateur.

Professionals Brenden Stuart (Wellington) and the Christchurch pair of Scott Hill and Mathew Holten share fifth place on even-par, with Troy Ropiha (Taupo) and Sean Riordan sharing eighth place on one-over after both fired two-under par 70s yesterday.

Charles also enjoyed a two-under 70 to beat his age, and is tied for 10th place with fellow professionals Riki Borell (Nelson) and Doug Holloway (Hawke's Bay).

Charles recovered from a double bogey on the second hole to bag five birdies and a solitary bogey on the 16th to delight a sizeable audience with his skills. "I started to strike the ball a lot better from tee to green and I played quite well. I was very happy with my game," Charles said.

Doyle said he took no chances, putting on his game-face despite significant home club support yesterday.

"I approached things with patience. I know I am playing the golf course well and told myself to just do what I know best - drive on the fairways, hit the greens and put yourself in position to make some putts."

- NZPA