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Veteran Ogilvy making mark in Puerto Rico Open

By AAP Newswire

Mar 5, 2023

Australia's 2006 US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy is poised to notch the best finish of his PGA Tour return bid at the Puerto Rico Open.

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The 45-year-old Ogilvy shot a two-under 70 on Saturday to be tied 10th, eight shots behind leader Nico Echavarria of Colombia heading into the final round in Rio Grande.

Echevaria rattled off a 65 to claim a two-shot lead from American Carson Young 71 at 17 under as he goes for his first PGA Tour victory.

Ogilvy made the cut in both of his previous two PGA Tour starts this year, finishing 74th at Pebble Beach and 80th at the Honda Classic, earning $US33,270 so far.

The former world No.3 boasts eight PGA Tour wins, including his major and three at World Gold Championships events, with the last in 2014.

He departed the tour and effectively retired after 2018 when he missed 14 of 16 cuts, returning home to Australia.

The winner of the Puerto Rico earns a spot in The Players Championship next week with its $US25 million purse, along with spots in the PGA Championship and a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour.

It does not come with an invitation to the Masters because the Puerto Rico Open is held the same week as the Arnold Palmer Invitational.