Rodriguez roars to the top in Costa Rica
A bogey-free 66 allowed Argentina’s Miguel Rodriguez to open a solid four stroke lead with 18 holes left to play at the Kai Fieberg Costa Rica Open 2007.

The 33 year old, at 10 under par 203, shared the best card of the day at Cariari Country Club with Chile’s Felipe Aguilar, who now holds second place at 207.

Alvaro Ortiz, the Costa Rican amateur who led by one at halfway, dropped back into a tie for third place after adding a one over par 72 to his earlier rounds of 68. Alongside him on five under par 208 are Gustavo Acosta of Argentina and Tim Milford of England, who scored 70 and 67 respectively.

“It really went quite well for me today. I had no bogeys and luckily I was able to stay and play relaxed,” said Rodriguez, whose scores have improved through every round of the US$175,000 event co-sanctioned by the European Challenge Tour and Tour de las Americas.

After missing the cut in Colombia last week, the man from Buenos Aires made the trip to Costa Rica full of doubts. However, a 70-67 start for the first 36 holes changed his mood and now he is targeting his first Challenge Tour title.

“My lack of confidence was huge at the beginning of the week, so I only thought of hitting fairways and greens. Fortunately, I have made some very good shots wherever I have had the chance of attacking,” he said.

After paring the first three holes, Rodriguez started to roll by hitting his tee shot at the par three fourth hole to within three feet of the flag. That birdie gave him the outright lead, which he never surrendered.

Another birdie at the par five eighth saw him to the turn in 33 and on the back nine he played even better, carding birdies at 12, 13 and 16 for another 33.

By contrast Aguilar had arrived at Cariari Country Club in much better heart after registering three top five finishes in his last five Challenge Tour events.

He started his latest attempt at securing a first Challenge Tour title with scores of 73 and 68 before Saturday’s 66 moved him into sole charge of second place behind Rodriguez.

Despite bogeying the first hole, the Chilean managed an outward half of 32 after birdies at the third, seventh, eighth and ninth holes. The 32 year old picked up further shots at the tenth, 12th and 16th against a bogey at 13.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s final round, Rodriguez, winner of the 2005 Venezuela Open, added: “It’s been about two years since the last time I was in this position. I think that tomorrow I just have to go out and play the same way I have been playing. I only need to hit fairways and greens and let the others try and do the birdies. I have been playing really well, so I just hope to follow that same path.”