Schwartzel holds off Gonzalez's spectacular Madrid charge
MADRID (Reuters) - South African Charl Schwartzel holed a 10-foot birdie putt at the last hole to edge a stroke in front of rampaging Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez after the Madrid Masters third round on Saturday.
Both have won in the Spanish capital before and Schwartzel again showed his liking for the Club de Campo Villa Madrid course as a five-under 66 earned a 14-under total of 199.
Gonzalez's 62 was the joint best round of the day. His exhilarating inward half of eight-under 27, including an eagle and six birdies, would have equaled the European Tour record for nine holes but for the fact preferred lies were being used.
Spain's Pablo Larrazabal was third on 202 after another 62 that featured eight birdies and an eagle.
Schwartzel won last year's Spanish Open only a few kilometers away from this week's venue.
The 24-year-old, looking for his third tour title, is fighting a troublesome cold but was relieved to find the shoulder pain that nearly caused him to pull out the previous day had gone away.
PINCHED MUSCLE
"It was a pinched muscle that was difficult to get at so the (European Tour) physio boys taped me up to stop me straining it during the night and this morning it felt fine," Schwartzel told reporters.
Gonzalez has won twice previously in Spain, including the 2003 Madrid Open at this venue.
Taking 26 putts, and only 10 on the back nine, helped the 38-year-old surge through the field.
"Spain is a second home for me and I feel very good here," said Gonzalez. "But tomorrow is another day and I have to go out and try and do the same as today and make some putts."
Larrazabal, winner of the French Open in June, strengthened his bid for the rookie of the year award with a brilliant back nine of 29.
Australian Andrew Tampion (65), Britain's Paul Waring (67) and Spaniard Carlos del Moral (67) were joint fourth on 203.
Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal, back after a three-month injury layoff, was 14 shots off the lead after a 71.
"It was the same scenario as the previous two days, wayward off the tee," said the twice U.S. Masters champion. "But my back is holding out OK and that's the best news."
(Editing by Tony Jimenez)
