TERRASSA, Spain May 7 (Reuters) - South African Thomas Aiken extended his lead at a windswept Spanish Open on Saturday but the day's action was overshadowed by the death of Seve Ballesteros.
Aiken, who will take a two-shot advantage into Sunday's final round
after carding a level par 72 for eight-under 208, credited Ballesteros as one of his inspirations even though the South African was just five when the Spanish golfing great won the last of his five majors at the British Open in 1988.
"Seve was an inspiration to me, so charismatic, such an emotional player with true passion," Aiken, who halted his round to observe a minute's silence for Ballesteros, told Reuters.
"I got to thinking about that when I stopped at the eighth. "His death, though, puts things into perspective - it's just a game."
Four players trailed behind him in second place -- local favourite Pablo Larrazabal, rookies Romain Wattel of France and Scott Jamieson of Britain and Denmark's Anders Hansen.
Aiken, 27, said he was spurred on to succeed this week by fellow South Africans Louis Oosthuizen, the British Open champion, and Charl Schwartzel, the U.S. Masters winner.
"Louis was in a similar position to me and then he won in Andalucia last year before going on to become British Open champion," said Aiken.
"I've grown up with him and what he did has made us all work harder."
A veering wind made club selection difficult but Aiken doubled his overnight lead with several crucial long putts.
Hansen, twice the European PGA champion at Wentworth and with three wins to his credit, could push him hard on Sunday as the Dane posted the joint-best round of the day, a 69.
Aiken, who will take a two-shot advantage into Sunday's final round
after carding a level par 72 for eight-under 208, credited Ballesteros as one of his inspirations even though the South African was just five when the Spanish golfing great won the last of his five majors at the British Open in 1988.
"Seve was an inspiration to me, so charismatic, such an emotional player with true passion," Aiken, who halted his round to observe a minute's silence for Ballesteros, told Reuters.
"I got to thinking about that when I stopped at the eighth. "His death, though, puts things into perspective - it's just a game."
Four players trailed behind him in second place -- local favourite Pablo Larrazabal, rookies Romain Wattel of France and Scott Jamieson of Britain and Denmark's Anders Hansen.
Aiken, 27, said he was spurred on to succeed this week by fellow South Africans Louis Oosthuizen, the British Open champion, and Charl Schwartzel, the U.S. Masters winner.
"Louis was in a similar position to me and then he won in Andalucia last year before going on to become British Open champion," said Aiken.
"I've grown up with him and what he did has made us all work harder."
A veering wind made club selection difficult but Aiken doubled his overnight lead with several crucial long putts.
Hansen, twice the European PGA champion at Wentworth and with three wins to his credit, could push him hard on Sunday as the Dane posted the joint-best round of the day, a 69.
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