Life has been no bed of roses for Andrew Oldcorn. For two years, just over a decade ago, he had to contend with the energy-sapping illness ME and, five years ago, when on the verge of his third tour win in the Irish Open at Druids Glen, he played the final hole like one of those high-handicapped bunnies, all but choked, and eventually signed for a double-bogey six that handed the title to Colin Montgomerie.
No one is in more need of a tonic than this English-born acclimatised Scot. And, heading into the final round of the European Tour's flagship tournament, the Volvo PGA championship here at Wentworth, Oldcorn has it within his own hands to spoon-feed himself the medicine of a win that would banish old memories. In yesterday's third round, certainly, there was no indication that Oldcorn would fold under the pressure as he opened up a five-stroke lead over a trio of chief pursuers - Niclas Fasth, Angel Cabrera and Phillip Price - after shooting 69 for 15-under-par 201. It is a record low 54-holes total for the championship over the West Course and, intriguingly, the biggest three round lead that anyone has managed to build. "It's in my own hands to lose," he conceded.
Not than anyone can take anything for granted on a course that has proven problematic for so many over the past three days with its raging fast fairways and firm greens. And, as someone who has experienced final day heartbreak in the past, Oldcorn added: "Anyone with a five-shot lead going into the last round should expect to win . . . but bigger names than me have lost bigger leads in bigger championships. I won't be scared. I'll simply try to maintain my focus and temperament."
Oldcorn is right to be so cautious. Although he has destiny in his own hands, there are a number of what he termed "pretty thoroughbred horses" in the pack behind him. "I must not think of what winning will do for me," he said. "Sometimes I'm my own worse enemy in that I get in front of myself, thinking of what it would mean to win. I intend to stick to my routine over each shot, try not to get carried away."
Yesterday, he started the third round with a two-stroke lead; by the end, he had increased it to five. One of the most remarkable aspects of Oldcorn's play in the championship is the way he has negotiated the greens. In three rounds, he has averaged 25 putts - 27 on day one, 20 in the second round, and 28 yesterday - while also demonstrating the capacity to put mistakes behind him. For example, when he suffered a bogey at the third, his response was to respond immediately by making an eagle on the fourth. And when he incurred a double-bogey five on the short 10th, he held his nerve and was eventually rewarded with birdies on his closing two holes.
"I'm sure a lot of people expected me to blow up today," said Oldcorn, not without some degree of realism. He has only played six tournaments so far this season - most recently pulling out of the Benson and Hedges International at the Belfry because of a tooth infection - and has to go back to 1995 for his last tour win, in the Jersey Open.
Oldcorn's pursuers may be a distance behind, but there are many of them in a log jam who could yet make a final day challenge. "The way this golf course is playing, one bounce could make a big difference," remarked Nick Faldo. "You can just get that bounce and it ends up in the rough." All of which would serve as some food for thought for the Anglo-Scot as he looks back over his shoulder.
Montgomerie, the man who was his tormentor in Druids Glen in 1996, may be too far off the pace - 10 shots back - to overtake him this time, but with the likes of Jose-Maria Olazabal (one of only two players yesterday to keep a bogey off his card, the other being Paul Lawrie who had 18 pars) among those a shot behind the chasing trio, Oldcorn can't take anything for granted.
