Allenby pulls within two shots of the lead at AT&T National

Australia’s Robert Allenby was the big mover as he closed to within two shots of the lead on the final day of the AT&T National in Pennsylvania.

Allenby was six under par through 14 holes of his final round to find himself within sight of leader Nick Watney.

Allenby was just two under at the turn but strung together back-to-back birdies at 12 and 13 before firing a hole-in-one on the par-three 14th to put himself level with Jeff Overton and KJ Choi in a tie for second at nine under par.

Overton was three under after ten holes after picking up shots at the first, third and sixth, while Choi had bounced back from a bogey on the fourth with birdies at the sixth and seventh. Watney, meanwhile, gained shots at the second and fifth to be two under on the day and 11 under overall through eight and did not appear to be feeling any pressure from his pursuers.

He had fired an eight-under-par 62 to set a new course record on Saturday to take the joint lead heading into yesterday’s final round.

Friday’s play had seen Choi equal the then course record of 64 before Chris Kirk lowered it by one early on Saturday.

Minutes later, Steve Marino equalled that but then, less than an hour later, Watney set his own mark.

England’s Justin Rose was the top European challenger, at four under par.

He was one under on the day after 14 holes but was left to rue the two bogeys he carded at the eighth and 11th, having secured three birdies in quick succession early in his round.

Rose’s compatriot, Brian Davis, was three over par for the tournament with just the 18th to play.

Sweden’s Carl Pettersson was enjoying a strong finish as he got to one under for the tournament thanks to a score of four under from 15 holes late yesterday.