Three bogeys in the last five holes cost Peter Lawrie a share of the third round lead at the Nissan Irish Open in Portmarnock.
Lawrie was in fine form and four birdies has pushed him towards the top of the leaderboard before a collapse saw him drop shots on the 14th, 16th and 18th holes and he finished the day alongside Australian Peter Hedblom on seven-under-par.
The Irishman is three shots behind joint leaders Thomas Bjorn, Michael Campbell and David Lynn. However Lawrie is still well clear of his fellow Irishmen.
Gary Murphy's round of 70 leaves him six shots off the pace on four-under, while three consecutive bogeys on the 7th, 8th and 9th holes along with a double bogey on the 12th cost Darren Clarke dearly and he is just one-over-par going into the final round. Paul McGinley is out of the running on level par, while Damien McGrane endured a disappointing day - his 76 leaving him on two-over.
Meanwhile, Bjorn, who lost a three shot lead with two to play at the British Open, is the slight favourite to win the title tomorrow after he shot the best round of the day, a 68.
The Dane feels that the way he recovered after such a big blow is as important as taking the lead. "No matter what happens I have proved I am going in the right direction and I'm still a force to be reckoned with. Winning is not going to make up for last week, though. Nothing will until I win a major - as simple as that," he said.
Filed by Rob Wright
