Golf-Rock steady on the greens to put maiden title in sight

TURIN, Italy, June 11 (Reuters) - Britain's Robert Rock takes a two-shot lead into Sunday's Italian Open final round, in sight of his maiden title after more than nine years and 208 events trying.

Another fine putting display helped the 34-year-old Englishman to a third round four-under 68 and a 16-under 200 aggregate. That left him two shots ahead of one of the local favourites, Francesco Molinari (68), who is aiming for his second Italian Open title.

With Molinari is Swede Niclas Fasth (64), Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal (65), South Africa's Jbe Kruger, Briton Gary Boyd (68) and Dutchman Joost Luiten (69).

A change of putting grip recently has transformed Rock's game, enabling him to qualify for the U.S. Open and sit on top of the Royal Park leaderboard all week.

He needed only 27 putts in the third round and is delighted with his performance on the greens, despite missing a closing birdie by three-putting from the fringe on 18.

"The big moments in my career are all coming at once and tomorrow will be the biggest so far in over nine years," Rock told Reuters. Two years ago he lost a playoff to amateur Shane Lowry in the Irish Open.

"Ireland was the one real chance before that I had of winning and now I've moved forward. If my putting stays the same it will calm me down tomorrow. It does wonders for your confidence when you are holing putts."

Matteo Manassero (70) will need to put in a manful effort if the 18-year-old is to clinch his home open 13 months after turning professional at the event. Although the teenager made three birdies in his last five holes he trails Rock by four strokes.

"I still think I have a chance of winning here," said Manassero. "I think 20-under is going to win and if I get a few breaks I have a chance."

Like Rock, Manassero will make his U.S. Open debut at the Congressional, Maryland, next week. He will be alongside the Molinari brothers Francesco and Edoardo. "It's going to be good for us," he said. "It will help us relax."

(Editing by Justin Palmer

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