Aussie Scrivener roars into Euro tour event contention

Rejuvenated Australian Jason Scrivener has given himself an outside shot of lifting his first European tour title after firing the best round on ‘moving day’ at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship in the UAE.

The 35-year-old from Perth, who says he feels like a new golfer this year after a refreshing break, recorded seven birdies in his blemish-free seven-under par 65 in the third round at the Al Hamra course on Saturday.

His tremendous burst of five birdies in the first seven holes rocketed him up the leaderboard, as he eventually finished ‘moving day’ by joining South Africa’s Shaun Norris and Frenchman David Ravetto in a tie for third place at nine under going into the last round.

Scrivener will be in the final group on Sunday – but he’ll have his work cut out to challenge his playing partners, leader Alejandro del Rey, who’s seven shots clear of him, and Marcus Armitage, who’s five ahead of the Aussie.

With every likelihood the last day shapes as a two-horse race, Scrivener will surely need to shake things up by producing something perhaps even better than another 65, a score only matched on Saturday by Englishman Andrew Wilson, who’s on eight under.

Another in-form Australian David Micheluzzi won’t rule himself out of the hunt either should the top two falter on Sunday as he’s in a big group on seven under following his third-round 70.

But Spaniard del Rey is the man they all have to catch after he wiped out the overnight two-shot gap behind Englishman Armitage, making three birdies on each nine to record a spotless 66 and move to 16 under overall.

Like Scrivener, the 26-year-old has never won yet on the European tour, but the second-tier Challenge tour winner senses it could all change on Sunday.

“I’ve won on many different tours and places in the world and feel like I know how to get it done,” he said.

“You’ve just got to trust yourself and go out there and do your best. I think I know how to close out tournaments so I’ll try to do that tomorrow.”

Armitage, who shot 70, couldn’t help but smile when asked about his game plan for Sunday while chasing Del Rey.

“Get at him. Let’s have him. That’s the only thing, let’s have him,” he said.