Larrazabal takes one-shot lead into final round

Pablo Larrazabal stressed the importance of recharging the batteries as he prepared to go for glory in the final round of the KLM Open, less than a week on from his US PGA Championship exploits.

The Spaniard, who played all four rounds at the second major of the year at Oak Hill last week, heads into the final day in the Netherlands with a one-shot lead following a flawless 67.

Larrazabal, who is chasing a ninth DP World Tour title just one month after his last victory at the Korea Championship, made five birdies to reach 10 under par before keeping his card clean with a sensational par save at the 18th.

Dane Rasmus Hojgaard and Spain’s Adrian Otaegui were Larrazabal’s nearest challengers on nine under, with Englishman Todd Clements, Poland’s Adrian Meronk, Malaysian Gavin Green and New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier another shot back in a tie for fourth.

Larrazabal turned in 33 after making birdies at the third, sixth and eighth before picking up further shots on the 10th and 16th to hit the front.

The 40-year-old then recovered from missing the fairway with his first and second shots into the 18th by getting up and down for a hugely valuable par, courtesy of a 14-foot putt.

He said: “We’re going to have to do a lot of good things now. Calm down and hit some balls and practise a little bit.

“And we’re going to have to rest very well because my batteries are running down.

“But I’m happy, I’m playing great and I’m enjoying the moment.”