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| | Saturday, 29 June, 2002, 18:25 GMT 19:25 UK Scandinavian trio share lead Montgomerie could see his Irish crown taken by Hansen Ryder Cup men Thomas Bjorn and Niclas Fasth both shot course record-equalling 63s to join Soren Hansen as joint leaders after the third round of the Irish Open. The Danish duo and Sweden's Fasth established a one-shot advantage over the rest heading into the final round at Fota Island, County Cork. Bjorn finished with four birdies in the last five holes to match the eight-under-par course record set by Scotland's Colin Montgomerie in the first round last year. Fasth also managed a 63 in the final round a year ago, and repeated the feat in a prodigious pairing with Bjorn.
Their success encouraged Bjorn to suggest they would make an ideal Ryder Cup pairing for Europe against the US at The Belfry in September. "If we play like this it would take a lot to stand up to us," Bjorn said. "It's up to (European captain) Sam Torrance to decide but we do get on well together." Hansen almost matched his compatriot on a day of low scoring with a 64 and a share of the lead on 11 under par. But England's Richard Bland did equal the record earlier on Saturday to earn a share of second place alongside South Africa's Darren Fichardt, veteran Argentine Eduardo Romero and Germany's Alex Cejka. Another Dane, Soren Kjeldsen, and another Swede, Joakim Haeggman, are a shot further back with 20-year-old Briton Nick Dougherty, and only two strokes separate the top 10. A windy afternoon put paid to the hopes of second-round leader Peter O'Malley and Montgomerie, who was again hampered by back problems.
O'Malley could only manage a 73 while Montgomerie dropped five strokes on the back nine for a disappointing 74. Former European number one Lee Westwood also fell off the pace with a 72. By contrast, Bjorn and Fasth had 16 birdies and two eagles between them as they stormed to the top of the leaderboard during a calm mid-morning and early afternoon. "We were both playing some really good golf and the course seemed easy," added Bjorn. "It was probably one of the most fun rounds I've ever had because it's not often you get two guys playing together and both shooting the lights out!" Northern Irishmen Graham McDowell, the top-ranked U.S. collegiate golfer, shot a 65 in only his second professional event to move up the leaderboard. McDowell, a 22-year-old from Portrush, achieved his lofty status after three years as a student at the University of Alabama-Birmingham until he turned pro earlier this month. Leading scores after third round (GB and Ireland unless stated): 202: (11 under par) Thomas Bjorn (Den), Niclas Fasth (Swe), Soren Hansen (Den) | |
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