Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen claims maiden DP World Tour title at Australian Open
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen held off a challenge from local hopeful Cam Smith to claim his maiden DP World Tour title at the 2026 Crown Australian Open on Sunday.
Neergaard-Petersen two clear in Melbourne as McIlroy eyes Sunday charge
The Dane closed his third-round 66 with a hat-trick of birdies, holing some lengthy putts along the way, to reach 14 under par and sit two strokes ahead of a world-class chasing pack consisting of home favourite Cam Smith, South Korea's Si Woo Kim and Mexican Carlos Ortiz.
Spain's Jose Luis Ballester was alone in fifth another shot further back after firing a flawless 65.
The day belonged to Neergaard-Petersen, however, who is buoyed by confidence after earning dual PGA TOUR membership at the end of last season, while Sunday could mark another life-changing moment as he chases his first DP World Tour title.
"I felt like I stayed true to my plan all week, which has been to stay patient," he said.
"I'm really happy with the finish. I've been able to finish well here over the last couple of events, even in rounds, so it's nice to finish off well today.
"I was able to roll in a couple of putts in the last three."
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy feels he has what it takes to shoot a low final round on Sunday but does not know whether that will be enough to trouble the leader.
The World Number Two finished his roller-coaster 68 with back-to-back birdies at Royal Melbourne on Saturday to reach five under par.
That leaves him nine shots off the lead held by Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen heading into the final round and he suspects the gap may be too big to close with just 18 holes left to play.
"With the lead at 13 under, I think I'll be a bit too far back.
"I think if everything comes together for me, I can shoot a pretty low one out there.
"I'll go out there and try my best tomorrow and try to shoot a low one and see where it leaves me."
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