Larrazabal leads by three

2008-06-28 18:37

Allan Kelly

Versailles - Spanish qualifier Pablo Larrazabal continued to defy the odds at the French Open on Saturday firing a four-under 67 to take a three-stroke lead into the final round.

The 25-year-old tour rookie from Barcelona fired five birdies against one bogey at the Golf National leaving him on 11-under for the tournament, three strokes clear of back-to-form Colin Montgomerie of Scotland, who had a 68 and last year's runner-up Soren Hansen of Denmark who carded a 67.

England's Lee Westwood, coming off a third-place finish in the US Open, was a further stroke back after a 69 level with compatriot David Lynn, the joint overnight leader, who had a 71.

"I hit the ball great today - my best day so far," Larrazabal said. "I was perfect off the tee - missed only two or three fairways.

"There were a lot of expectations on me with all my family here and I want them to know that I will fight hard tomorrow. If I play again like I played today it is going to be fun."

Currently a lowly 128th in the European Tour Order of merit, Larrazabal has stunned everyone with his form this week leading after the first round and sharing top spot with Lynn at the halfway stage.

Immediately compensated

He showed no signs of nerves in his third round as he opened with birdies at the second and third holes. Two more birdies followed at the seventh and eighth as he reached the turn in 32 to forge a three-stroke lead over the field.

After a run of six straight pars, he finally dropped a stroke at the tough par-three 16th where he left his chip 12 feet short of the pin.

But he immediately compensated for that with a birdie at the 17th thanks to a magnificent approach shot to one foot.

Montgomerie, who turned 45 on Monday and who is seeking a first tournament win since the European Open nearly a year ago got to five under for the day through 14 holes.

But he promptly dropped shots on the 15th and 16th and came in shaking his head.

"I dropped two in the last four and that was disappointing," he said. "But I have given myself a chance. The guy that is leading I don't believe has led this quality of field before.

"Myself and Westwood are just behind him - so is Soren Hansen as well - so it's game on tomorrow.

"I am very well aware of what is at stake. I just need to go out and prove to myself that I can win again.

"I won this in 2000 and I was third last year. I am lying second now and I have a very good chance.

"I don't want the European Open a year ago to be the last one. It's as simple as that."

Hansen, who was second in the French Open last year, one shot behind winner Graeme Storm of England, had a similar round to Montgomerie getting to five under before bogeys at 15 and 17 pegged him back.

Westwood went out in three-under 33 and got to four-under with another birdie at the 11th, but bogey fives at the next two holes set him back.

- SAPA