Dean and Forrest Share Lead Ahead of Final Round at Open de Espana

England’s Joe Dean and Scotland’s Grant Forrest are tied for the lead heading into the final round of the Open de Espana in Madrid.

Forrest started the day with a one‑shot advantage at the Real Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, but fell back after a bogey on the fifth hole.

Birdies on the 11th, 14th and 16th propelled the Scot to a four‑under 67, leaving him 13 under par overall.

Forrest, seeking his third DP World Tour title, told europeantour.com: “I’m happy with how I handled today.”

I didn’t have my best stuff, but I’m really proud of how I dug in and made some nice putts, a couple of good recovery shots, and all in all a decent score again.

“This is one of my favourite tournaments; it’s been good to me in the past, and I’d love nothing more than to go home with a trophy tomorrow.”

His round left him tied for the lead with Sheffield’s Dean, who will feel he could have posted a better score than his 65.

Dean, a former delivery driver who captured his first European‑based tour win at the British Masters, birdied the front nine and added three more at the 12th, 14th and 15th to build a three‑shot advantage.

However, the 32‑year‑old double‑bogeyed the 16th, lost another shot at 17, and finished strongly with a 31‑foot birdie putt on the final hole.

“It gave a little bit of hope after those previous two holes,” said Dean. “We’ll go again and see what happens.”

France’s Victor Pérez and Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen also carded 65s, reaching 12 under and sitting a shot behind the leaders, while Switzerland’s Joel Girrbach posted a 67.

Spain’s Ángel Ayora is the top Spanish hope, three shots off the lead after a 66 on a low‑scoring day.

Shane Lowry posted his best round of the week, a four‑under 67, moving him into a tie for 17th, though he remains eight shots behind the leaders.

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