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The 2004 Celtic Manor Wales Open - Day 3 - Moving Day
There were only two people who were making winning moves - Khan and Casey. This became a two man battle very quickly, watched by more record crowds in very warm conditions and for the newly changed shirt sponsorship for Khan, meant playing the last two rounds in a slipover so as to retain a logo from a general sponsor as well as promoting Polo Ralph Lauren. Would he keep cool under the pressure and the wool?

If any European Tour player hits all 18 greens, its something special (bear in mind the huge length of this course). Its nothing like shooting 61 but on rolling and swirling putting surfaces which can be three or four clubs long, no three putts make you think of a pretty good score. With a total of 28 putts and you have Casey's 63. Casey was more than pleased with his 65 today which featured just 13 greens hit but only 25 putts courtesy of two chip ins. It would put him in with a real chance (a three shot lead) of achieving more than another Tour win.

'I have a goal, from the Deutsche Bank to after the Open to pick up another 500 000 Euros - not to try and do it in one week. I have got to do well this week to spread the pressure out. That's still the goal and if I can take a sizeable chunk this week it will help.'

What those round stats belied was two bogies at 12 and 13 which made the chasing pack's lives very slightly easier and a day's play which had another quick start - five under after five.

Casey was at -19 and Khan could only shoot a 70 for -16 - 16 greens in regulation but 33 putts showing how a Tour Pro not only hits the ball miles but also possess the touch of a genius to make a low 60s score. Casey could have felt comfortable but for Khan just three shots back, and for Khan the hours spent on his putting had left him two shots clear of James Kingston. In 4th place, Worcestershire's John Bickerton with a 63 - from an early start time.

Khan was not though thinking about a place -

'Paul played great today but I am still in touching distance and you never know what can happen tomorrow. Paul is in the driving seat but anything is possible. I got a good feel for it being in the last group today and if I can get straight into it tomorrow then who knows.'

James McArthur on 2004-06-19