THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD: (GB & Ire unless stated)
-6 M Kaymer (Ger), J Sandelin (Swe) -5 MA Carlsson (Swe) -4 P Harrington, M Brier (Ger), T Jaidee (Tha)
Selected others:-3 R Karlsson (Swe), R Fisher, A Wall -2 L Westwood, S Hansen (Den), P Casey +2 D Clarke, G McDowell +3 J Rose +7 C Montgomerie
 Kaymer won the BMW International in Munich earlier this year |
Germany's Martin Kaymer and Swede Jarmo Sandelin share the third-round lead after a difficult day for scoring at a windy Dunhill Links Championship. Kaymer and Sandelin are on six under, just one clear of the field, after a day which saw only six players in the 168-strong field break par. Order of Merit leader Padraig Harrington came home in 34 to end the day tied for fourth on four under. Rivals Robert Karlsson and Lee Westwood are three and four shots off the lead. Harrington leads the Order of Merit by £180,000 from England's Westwood with Sweden's Karlsson in third a further £100,000 behind. The Dubliner, playing at the Carnoustie course which hosted his first Open triumph last year, played the front nine in 40 but came home in a superb 34 on a blustery day in Scotland. "I hit a drive about 195 yards on one hole," said the 37-year-old. "I had three three-putts in the first six holes and it would definitely have been easier starting on the back nine, where there's two reachable par fours. "You've got to hit sensible shots all the time. I got caught once or twice going for pins when it's about hitting it in the right place. "I wouldn't see myself as favourite. I'm happy that I'm only two behind. I was two behind going out and I still am.  | 606: DEBATE |
"I'm not 100% confident about how I'm playing. It will be interesting to see how this situation pans out. I'm looking forward to getting into the hunt on the back nine and making a few birdies." Westwood was also playing at Carnoustie and dropped six shots in his opening six holes on the way to a 76. "It was tough, the wind was pumping out there," said Westwood, who won the Order of Merit in 2000. "I was struggling at the start. "The course was playing tough at the start and you didn't have to do a lot wrong. I dug in though and was three under for the next six holes. "Missing from six or seven feet for birdie on eight was the turning point as it was the first green I hit in regulation." Kaymer had a steady 73 to share the lead with Sandelin, who had two bogeys and two birdies in a 72. "I played very well Thursday and Friday," said Kaymer. "Today was OK but I struggled a bit with my tee shots. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow and I think I have a chance." All professional players in the tournament play one round at each of St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns alongside celebrities, before those who survive the final cut compete for the title on Sunday at St Andrews. The cut changed from four over to five over when Italy's Francesco Molinari, in the last group, bogeyed the 18th at Carnoustie. But it was not enough to save Scotland's Colin Montgomerie, who ended on seven over after a 78, while Ernie Els also missed out. European Ryder Cup player Miguel Angel Jimenez failed to complete the third round because of an injury.
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