Final day has familiar feel for in-form Senden - Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney Morning Herald

On top … John Senden leads the tournament. Photo: Getty Images

JOHN SENDEN has won an Australian Open on the final day and lost one as well.

So as he approaches the final round leading the field, he is well-versed and well-rehearsed in the agony and ecstasy of Sundays.

The 2006 champion led after the third round in last year's tournament but was ultimately overtaken by Greg Chalmers. Now, in 2012, he has a two-shot lead over Englishman Justin Rose. The Australian Open is his to lose.

''I know where I stand,'' Senden said. ''I need to deal with that, come out [on Sunday] and play my game. [This is] why we are here. We want to be in the position to get the experience and know whether you can handle it. [It] is going to be a test but it is a test for every golfer. Sitting on the lead, it is a matter of doing the job and moving forward. I think the whole experience is why we play it.''

Last year, at the same course, Senden said nerves got the better of him as he carded four bogeys on the front nine in the final round. Despite birdies on the 11th, 13th, 14th and 17th, he could not force a play-off, finishing at 12 under, a shot back from Chalmers.

It is unlikely that such a score will be needed to win this year, though. Senden led after the first round following a six-under round but has only picked up a shot in the two rounds which followed, with conditions troubling every golfer in the tournament. Rose, the highest ranked player in the field, has similarly only picked up one shot since Thursday's first round, having posted a four-under 68 on day one. Marcus Fraser, who had led after day two, posted a four over round of 76 on Saturday to drop back to a tie for ninth, at two under for the tournament.

''It was a day of trying to do the best I can to stay in position,'' Senden said. ''It is nice to be leading the tournament. The golf course is very dry. I would not say that it was on the edge but it was quite windy out there. It is tough to keep the ball straight in the air. I was happy to handle it reasonably well and feel good. You have to be able to control the ball any time you play golf, but in these conditions you have to be really on your game.''

Rose appeared set to begin Sunday's final round on even terms with Senden, but two bogeys to finish spoilt his Saturday.

''It got progressively tougher as the day went on,'' Rose, who shot 70, said. ''Towards the end of the round, it was tough even to tap in.''

But Rose said that the windy conditions meant one or two strokes meant little.

''The last man standing could win the golf tournament,'' he said. ''It is going to be a battle. I've gotten to know the golf course over the past couple of days.

''I'm excited. As long as it does not get out of control and blow too hard, it is going to be a fun day to try and hit some shots. It will be my last round for the year. I'd like to go out on a high note.''

In front of him, for now, is Senden, in the form of his life but who knows as much as anyone that leading at The Lakes into the final day doesn't guarantee anything. ''There is a long way to go,'' Senden said.