Kaymer and Sandelin lead Dunhill Links Championship
Saturday, 04 Oct 2008 20:05
Lee Westwood still fighting to be European number one
Martin Kaymer and Jarmo Sandelin lead the Dunhill Links Championship by one shot heading into the final round tomorrow.
Kaymer ended his round on six-under-par after a round of 73. The German star was on eight-under-par at one stage but dropped shots at the 15 and 16 holes. Swede Sandelin went one better than Kaymer to take a share of the lead. Magnus Carlsson is on his own at five-under-par after he birdied the last hole to claim a round of 73.
The windy conditions caused havoc for the players in Carnoustie as only six players out of the field of 168 managed to break par for the round. Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee was one of the players to make the par 72 today. He had a golden chance to take a share of the lead, but bogeyed two of the last three holes to end on four-under-par.
European Order of Merit leader Padraig Harrington is also on four-under-par after he showed his class to finish the back nine with a 34. Harrington's closes rival Lee Westwood had a disastrous front nine as he dropped six shots, but he recovered with a 35 on the back nine to finish on two-under-par.
"It was tough, the wind was pumping out there," said Westwood. "I was six over after six and struggling really. The course was playing tough at the start and you didn't have to do a lot wrong really.
"I dug in though and was three under for the next six holes. Missing from six or seven feet for birdie on eight was the turning point as it was the first green I hit in regulation.
"I three-putted 16, which was a shame, but I parred the last two holes, which you can never complain about here. All in all, two under might be in with a chance."
Robert Karlsson, who is third in the European rankings and only £280,000 behind Harrington, is on three-under-par and could snatch the Order of Merit as the winner of this event will be handed a cheque for £432,000.