Darren Clarke upstaged playing partner Colin Montgomerie at the Volvo Masters to seize the early third-round lead. The Northern Irishman, well placed to end Montgomerie's seven-year reign as Europe's number one golfer, picked up three shots in seven holes to move to 11 under par.
Clarke round of 68 leaves him tied with overnight leader Pierre Fulke of Sweden, who carded a 70. Australia's Stephen Leaney was 10-under after a 69, while four others lie two shots further back. Montgomerie, who needs to win this tournament as well as next week's Valderrama World Championship to make sure of retaining his Order of Merit title, had begun the day one shot behind Clarke on six under.
But the Scot was in immediate trouble, three early bogeys only partially mitigated by two birdies as he fell five shots behind the new leader. Lee Westwood, meanwhile, leading the European standings just ahead of Clarke but struggling ever since his first-round 76, rediscovered his form to take the clubhouse lead on a six-under total of 210 after a sparkling third round of 65.
The Englishman, 58th out of 66 on the first day and in 38th place on one over after his second round, made six birdies and an eagle before finding the water on the 18th for his only dropped shot of the round.
Padraig Harrington leads the chasing pack of Irish players, five behind on 6-under-par. Paul McGinley is 3-under while Ronan Rafferty is 4 over.
Filed by Shane Murray
