Six players were tied for the lead after the top contenders were beset by problems in today's third round of the Aa St-Omer Open. Overnight leader Carl Suneson of Spain, pre-tournament favourite Simon Dyson and his fellow Briton David Geall, Massimo Florioli of Italy, Pasi Purhonen of Finland and Frenchman Jean-Francois Lucquin are tied on three-under-par 210, one stroke ahead of the field.
Ireland's Stephen Browne is three strokes behind on level par, having led on his own at one stage.
Suneson saved par from a tricky position at the last for a two-over-par 73 to give him hope still of a maiden full tour title, along with an 18-month exemption, in his 14th year of trying. Dyson came the closest to breaking the deadlock but his 15-foot birdie attempt on the last hole rimmed the cup and the ball stayed out as he carded a 70.
At 62nd on the European money-list, Dyson, who led the Asian Open last month for three rounds before folding and finishing second behind Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, is the highest ranked player in France this week. Now he has a chance to make up for the 76 in Shanghai that cost him his chance of a first full European Tour title.
He said: "I'm surprised to be sharing the lead but I feel I'm due a win. I'm just going to go right at it tomorrow."
Filed by Mark O'Neill-Cummins
