By Matt Smith
Victor Perez and Matt Wallace are going toe-to-toe at the 2022 Dutch Open as they head a congested leaderboard after a testing third round at Bernardus Golf.

In tough winds on the links-style layout, Perez signed for a 69 to set the target as he chases a second DP World Tour victory, only to see four-time winner Wallace birdie the last to complete a 70 and join him at 10-under.

In-form Kiwi Ryan Fox, who won recently in Ras Al Khaimah, Australian Scott Hend, Italy’s Guido Migliozzi and Swede Sebastian Soderberg were on nine-under, a shot clear of another Swede in Alexander Björk, Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and Pole Adrian Meronk.

The top 15 players were separated by just five shots, with 13 different nationalities represented within that top 15. As well as the trophy this week, the top three inside the top 10 not already exempt will earn a spot in the 150th Open Championship this summer, with Perez, Wallace and Fox currently set for St Andrews.

after his round, Wallace said: “That is what I kind of wanted to do. Start the day and try to get a bit closer to the leaders, and that is what I did, tried to not give away too many shots. Got off to a really nice start those first couple of holes, and if you can go through level par and pick up a couple, which I did.

“I carried a bit of momentum but stayed patient and really happy with my performance today.

Perez added: “Very pleased. I like it, I know some guys don’t like it and would rather be chasing then being in front. If you were to choose I would rather be in front all of the time, I think the mindset is the same regardless, I think the shots are the shots and you just have to hit them, maybe it takes a bit of the pressure off some of the guys but I would rather be in front if I can.”

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