PULA (Reuters) — Jose Maria Olazabal takes a one-shot into Sunday’s Majorca Classic final round but, as course-designer, the Spaniard came under fire over his revamped greens after Saturday’s third round.
Olazabal himself admitted the greens were "not in good shape" after three-putting twice on the back nine.
The Spaniard shot a level-par 70 to lie six-under-par, a stroke ahead of Britain’s overnight leader Paul Broadhurst (72) and Denmark’s Soren Hansen (66).
Defending champion Sergio Garcia (71) missed a string of short putts to slide five shots off the lead. The world number six claimed the unpredictable greens had caused his putting demons to return.
"I said all along the greens were not in good shape," said Olazabal, without a win in three years. "On some the speeds were different to others and I agree they were difficult.
"I don’t know if it has to do with the rain we’ve had, but I’m pretty sure they will take notice and have them better next year.
"I was happy enough with the way I hit the ball, maybe not so much with the irons, but my putting was no good."
Broadhurst, who led by a stroke with two holes to play, also three-putted twice coming home, but refused to blame the greens.
"It’s the same for everybody," said the Englishman. "I chucked in a couple of three-putts and there was a big swing when Jose Maria birdied the 16th and I bogeyed the last. I just putted badly all day."
Despite missing a two-footer on the last, Garcia, who played a shot from the water’s edge on 16 with rolled up trousers and bare feet, still believes he can win to try to gain ground on the injured Ernie Els’ world number five spot.
He said: "It’s frustrating but these greens have got to my head.
