South Africa’s Darren Fichardt stormed into the lead at the Vattanac Legends Championship Legacy Edition after firing a magnificent 64 (-8) in round two, the joint lowest score of the day, moving him to -13 and one shot clear in Cambodia.
Fichardt’s brilliant scoring set the pace on a day defined by low numbers, as Sweden’s Patrik Sjöland and England’s Greg Owen also returned exceptional 64s of their own – the only three players to reach that mark – to rocket up the leaderboard and apply pressure heading into the final round. Jarmo Sandelin and Jamie Donaldson share second place at -12 after matching rounds of 67 (-5), keeping themselves firmly in contention just one shot behind. A closely-packed trio sit at -11 in fourth place; Anthony Wall, Peter Baker and Scott Hend, all of whom are within striking distance going into Friday’s final round at the Sir Nick Faldo-designed West Course at Vattanac Golf Resort.
Fichardt’s round was built on early momentum and clinical putting. “After last week, I felt like I was trying to force things, trying to hit the driver too hard and push the issue,” he said. “This isn’t a long course, so I just focused on getting the ball in play. The greens are quicker this week, which I like.” Starting on the 10th, Fichardt caught fire almost immediately. “I made what felt like a weak par on my first hole, then things just started happening on my front nine. I then made eagle on the second hole, then birdies on three and four. I found my rhythm and that was a really good run.”
Looking ahead to the final round, Fichardt remains committed to the same approach. “No change to the game plan. It’s working, hit fairways, hit greens, and let the putter do its job.” He expanded further on his mindset this week: “I’m trying to stay patient, hit fairways and greens, give myself opportunities, and just play solid golf without making bogeys. I feel like I’m doing that this week, and it seems to be working.”
Overnight leader and former Ryder Cup player Jarmo Sandelin continued his strong form with a composed second-round 67 (-5) to sit tied for second at -12, just one shot off the lead heading into the final day. “I think I played much the same as I did on the first day, very solid with very few mistakes,” Sandelin said. “And when the putter works, the scores will be good.”
“I had a stretch of eight holes where I was six under,” he explained after a blistering mid-round surge. “I was doing really well. Unfortunately, in that stretch I missed a short birdie putt on the second hole, so it could have been even better. But overall, it’s been good, really good.”
Sandelin also noted the increasing challenge of the course setup on the West Course at Vattanac. “The greens are getting a bit faster and there’s a little more release on the ball. A few times I hit it straight at the flag and it bounced on. So that’s the challenge, controlling the bounce and the rollout.”
Reflecting on what a victory would mean, he added: “It would be fantastic. All the practice we put in, winning would be proof that I’m doing something right. Every player needs those successes to take the next step. I feel like I’ve been a bit stuck, not winning more tournaments. I’ve been on the Legends Tour for eight years now. So hopefully I can step it up to the next level.”
Despite starting the day further back, two-time DP World Tour winner, Sjöland’s superb 64 (-8), a bogey-free round featuring eight birdies, catapulted him into a share of seventh place at -10, putting him firmly back in the mix heading into Friday. “I’ve been feeling really comfortable with my swing all week,” Sjöland said. “I gave myself a lot of chances today, and once a couple of putts dropped, the momentum really started to build. This course rewards smart play, and I felt I managed that well.”
2003 British Masters Champion, Owen also surged up the leaderboard with a brilliant 64 (-8), a round littered with birdies and highlighted by a spectacular eagle on the 8th. The Englishman – who led after the opening round last week – showed sharp ball-striking throughout and closed strongly to climb back into contention. “I struck the ball beautifully today,” Owen said. “Even after the bogey on 13, I stayed patient. The back nine gave me a few opportunities, and I managed to take them, it’s probably the best I’ve ever putted. If I can keep that rhythm going tomorrow, I’ll be right where I want to be.”
With just a handful of shots separating the top of the leaderboard and a wave of low scoring throughout the field, the Vattanac Legends Championship Legacy Edition is perfectly poised for a dramatic final day. With in-form players surging and the contenders tightly packed, Friday’s finale promises a thrilling battle for the title in Phnom Penh.
Round 3 of the Vattanac Legends Championship Legacy Edition tees off Friday morning local time, with live scores available here.
