Joy Of Six As Fozzy Hits Form

Apr 6 2008 By Iain Hammill

ALASTAIR FORSYTH has a fighting chance of lifting his second title in three weeks after a six-birdie blitz yesterday.

The super Scot shot a sizzling 66 to close in on Portuguese Open leader Gregory Bourdy - a fortnight after bagging the Madeira Open.

Forsyth's five-under score gave him a total of 200 at Oitavos Dunes and he's looking forward to tracking down the French pacesetter who leads him by four after a 68.

England's Miles Tunnicliff (63) and South African Charl Schwartzel (66) share third on 201.

Forsyth is happy to have his winning clubs back in his bag after being forced to play last week's AndalucianOpen with replacements after his went missing.

The Paisley ace said: "The clubs were flown home to Glasgow after I'd left for Malaga last week and getting them back was a psychological boost - I feel much more comfortable than I did in Spain.

"Having come from five behind to win in Madeira I know it's on.

We've had five 63s this week.

"Working hard with Bob Torrance in the winter has really helped me and I'm putting much better. I missed a few early doors but was stroking it well and knew they would start dropping."

Caddie Dave Renwick won't mind missing his first US Masters for years this week after Augusta wins with Jose Maria Olazabal and Vijay Singh if Forsyth can add the £165,000 jackpot to his £98,000 season's earning.

Another Scot, David Drysdale, posted his best score for two years after giving away his putter after last week's Andalusian Open.

He squeezed seven birdies into a 66 for 204 and said: "I was fed up after threeputting the 18th from 12 feet to miss the cut by one in Spain.

"When one of the kids asked me for my ball I just handed him my putter - he must have been over the moon.

"I've gone back to the twoball version of the club here and knocked in three birdie putts between 20 and 30 feet.

"It's not working so well on the short ones. I missed five chances inside 12 feet but at least I'm setting up chances."

Playing partner Peter Whiteford from Kirkcaldy slumped to a 75 for 213 after injuring his neck.

He said: "I had to call the physio for treatment on the fifth. I soldiered on because if you don't play you don't get paid."

Stephen Gallacher is on 208 after a 74 and Marc Warren one further adrift after his 69.

Steven O'Hara's struggles continued with 77-217.