GOLF/EUROPEAN TOUR:CHRIS WOOD claimed a three-stroke advantage at the Iberdrola Open in Mallorca as British and Irish golfers dominated the upper reaches of the leaderboard heading into the weekend.

The 23-year-old, who burst onto the scene with a fifth-place finish as an amateur at the British Open in 2008, added a five-under 65 to his opening 67 to lead by three from fellow Englishman Matthew Nixon and Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke.

Wood carded six birdies yesterday and was on course to lead by four until a bogey at the par-four 16th knocked him back a stroke. His closest challengers, Clarke and Nixon, were both level yesterday to sit five under overall.

For Clarke it was a major recovery after a double bogey at the third and a further dropped shot at the ninth saw him go out in 38, three over par, but for European Tour rookie Nixon there was frustration with a double bogey at the 18th.

The 21-year-old, who was the only amateur to secure a card at last year’s Qualifying School Final Stage, claimed six birdies but was hampered by two bogeys and, most harmfully, two doubles at the par-four third and par-three 18th.

One shot behind Nixon on four under were another David Lynn, and France’s Thomas Levet. A further stroke back were Ireland’s Simon Thornton, who shot a sparkling 65, Scotland’s Paul Lawrie and England’s Danny Willett, who was second overnight, as golfers from Britain and Ireland made up seven of the top eight.

Overnight leader Gregory Bourdy slumped to a seven-over 77 after Thursday’s course-record seven-under-par 63. A triple-bogey seven at the 12th did much of the damage and he finished the day tied for 21st on level par.

Damien McGrane who shot a 74 and Shane Lowry (70), both on two-over, will be around for the weekend but Paul McGinley (76) Colm Moriarty and Gary Murphy all missed the cut.