Barry Lane put on dazzling display today with a new course record 65 to command a two shot lead going into the final round of the Benson and Hedges International Open at the Belfry.
Lane has to go back to 1995 for his last win, the Accenture World Championship in Arizona, but today’s seven-under par round for a 10-under aggregate suggests the Englishman may be ready to enter the winners circle once again.
The 42-year-old hit the shot of the day when his 175yard eight-iron approach to the ninth slam-dunked straight into the hole for an eagle two. The cup required some repair work such was the force of direct impact.
"The shot was always on line so it was a matter of luck with the distance," explained Lane on the BBCafterwards.
"It was a nice way to finish the front nine in six-under and from there I just tried to carry the momentum onto the back nine," said Lane whose only dropped shot of the day came at the 12th amongst a barrage of six birdies and one eagle in all.
Padraig Harrington maintained his mantle as leading Irishman with a round of 70 to get within five shots of the lead.
The Dubliner had to endure a mid-round blip with a run of three bogeys from the seventh. It must have come as a surprise as he had previously picked up two birdies to get into the mix.
Resolute as ever, Harrington bounced back with three birdies on the back nine. The most satisfying of which was holing a slick 20foot left-to-right downhill putt at the last which later produced the trademark smile from ear to ear.
"I was very up and down after getting off to a good start today but overall I was happy to return in two-under," explained Harrington.
England’s Greg Owen is Lane’s closest challenger on eight-under after today’s 70 but Michael Campbell should have been. The New Zealander was within one shot playing the last but a triple bogey seven after finding water dropped Campbell back to six-under.
Campbell finds himself one shot behind Argentina’s Angel Cabrera (68) and England’s Peter Baker (70) in third. Colin Montgomerie, one of the overnight leaders struggled on the greens and could manage a 73 to finish on five-under.
John Daly, who yesterday said he enjoys playing in Europe as it is more relaxed, will not have enjoyed a run of six dropped shots in nine holes. However, the double major winner demonstrated greater composure to birdie three of the last six holes to end the day on three-under after a 74.
There were mixed emotions for the three other Irishmen who made the cut with youth winning the day on this occasion. Michael Hoey, 23, scored an impressive two-under 70 to get back on level terms for the Championship.
Eamonn Darcy, 49, finds himself in the undesirable position of sharing last place on 10-over after shooting an 80 while Des Smyth, 49, dropped to four-over after today’s 77.