American golfer Robert Gates drives off the 14th tee during
the third round of the New Zealand Open at The Hills,
Arrowtown, yesterday. Photo by Craig Baxter.
American golfer Robert Gates is 18 holes away from an
extraordinary maiden victory at the New Zealand Open.
Gates holds a three-stroke lead from Australian Andrew Dodt
going into tomorrow's final round.
The Florida-raised Texas resident is competing in his first
Nationwide Tour event with girlfriend Lauren Johnson as his
caddy.
Gates shared the lead with Dodt and New Zealand's David Smail
after the first round and was clear by a shot after the
second.
He moved further ahead today by shooting 68, a round that
featured six birdies and two bogies, to go to 16-under-par.
Dodt carded 70 to be 13-under, while fellow Australian
Michael Curtain fired a second consecutive 68 to be 11-under.
Australia's Mark Hensby fired the round of the day, a 66, to
move to 9-under alongside Matthew Griffin (Australia) and
Kevin Chappell (United States).
The leading New Zealander is Phil Tataurangi, who shot 71 to
finish eight shots off the pace.
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