Englishman Greg Owen has a chance to make amends for throwing away the Portuguese Open earlier this season when he headed the leaderboard at the end of the third round of the British Masters at the Forest of Arden.
Owen, looking for his first win on the European Tour after seven years trying, carded a five-under 67 to lead Australian left-hander Richard Green by three shots. Green, playing with Owen could only manage a one-under 71.
Owen is still smarting over how he failed to shut the door when he was two shots ahead with only five holes left in Portugal. "Should have won it comfortably," he said. "Portugal upset me. I want to make amends for that," added Owen. "I felt very calm today, I want to feel the same way tomorrow. No point plodding around and being fourth or fifth."
But Owen and Green will have to fight off the challenge from proven winner Ian Poulter who leapt from last place to tie second with Green after a stunning nine-under 63. Winner of the Welsh Open last week, Englishman Poulter rattled off four straight birdies and by the time he reached the turn he was six-under for the day and eyeing a 59. "I knew I had a great chance to go under 60.
"The best chance I have had to have a 59," said Poulter. And it would have been a record busting round but for his putting. "I missed three or four putts from eight feet," said Poulter. The only blot on his card was three putts on the par-three 18th when his tee shot was pushed 80 feet left of the flag. His birdie attempt pulled up 17 feet short of the flag and it took him two more to get down.
Best of the Irish after the third round was Pater Lawrie, who carded a three-under 70. Darren Clarke remained one shot behind, after a two-under 72. Meanwhile, Damien McGrane finished the day with a par 74.
AFP