Paul Lawrie is on course for his fifth European Tour title after opening up a five stroke lead during the third round of the Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open.
The 1999 Open Champion, runner-up in this event last year, shot a two under par 70 to move to 14 under par, five ahead of England’s John Bickerton, Australian’s Richard Green and Lucas Parsons and South African Martin Maritz.
Lawrie had advanced to 17 under par through ten holes, helped by an eagle two on the fourth where he holed his second shot with a lob wedge from 105 yards, but dropped three shots over the closing holes.
“It was very frustrating over the last few holes,” he said. I made some mistakes coming in but the weather got a bit tough and I would have taken a five stroke lead at the start of the day. I was coasting for a while and hit a lot of good shots but the game got back at me a little near the end. I just need to concentrate this afternoon.”
Bickerton had been his nearest rival as he too picked up three birdies in the first ten holes to move to 13 under par but like this playing partner dropped shots coming home for a round of 73, one over par.
“I had a lovely front nine but then just missed one small putt and lost it a little,” said Bickerton. “I three putted the 12th, missing a two and a half foot putt for par and that seemed to stop me a little.”
Green also shot a one over par 73 to lie on nine under alongside Parsons and Maritz who both shot five under par 67s.
After a brief break players went back out for the fourth round in the same groups with play scheduled to finish at 6pm.
