Sport

Morrison rues late errors in Paris

Golf: James Morrison dropped three shots in the last two holes to only share the lead with fellow Englishman Mark Foster heading…

James Morrison of England hits a ball out off the bunker from the third hole during the French Open at the Golf National near Paris. Photograph: Regis Duvignau/Reuters
James Morrison of England hits a ball out off the bunker from the third hole during the French Open at the Golf National near Paris. Photograph: Regis Duvignau/Reuters
Sat Jul 02 2011 - 01:00

Golf:James Morrison dropped three shots in the last two holes to only share the lead with fellow Englishman Mark Foster heading into the final round of the French Open in Paris.

The 26-year-old had birdied four of the previous six holes to go clear at Le Golf National, but came up short of the 17th green and after chipping on three-putted for a six.

Off another perfect drive down the 470-yard last he then pulled his approach into a bunker and failed to get up and down.

It added up to a one-over-par 72 for Morrison, who had earlier gone into the lake for a double-bogey five on the short second.

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Foster’s third successive 68 had set the clubhouse target on nine under par and the 35-year-old will go out in the final group on the final day for the second week running.

In Munich last week the Worksop golfer led by two, but finished joint third.

One shot back in third place was Scotland’s former US Amateur champion Richie Ramsay and that after he bogeyed the last two holes for a 69.

World number four Martin Kaymer and France’s Thomas Levet are in joint fourth place three behind after both shot 67.

Kaymer, winner two years ago, had an eagle on the 14th, but it was crowd favourite Levet who made the biggest move before he became another victim of the 18th.

The former Ryder Cup player and 2002 Open runner-up was six under for the day, but then pulled his drive into the water and ran up a double bogey six.

“I felt like I was in the Ryder Cup — it was so noisy,” said the 42-year-old, who has been mentioned as a possible captain of Europe when the venue hosts the 2018 match.

“Imagine if you multiply the numbers by six or seven — it’s going to be nuts. Days like today keep me competing. You make putts, you make people happy.”

Kaymer said: “My short game was very good and the eagle kept me going — it’s put me in a good position. Last year I had a chance and made double bogeys on 15 and 18. Hopefully it will be different tomorrow.”

Colin Montgomerie managed only a 74 to fall back to two over and now needs a miracle to claim the top-five finish he needs to earn the Open spot on offer. He is in 36th place.

Gareth Maybin's 72 left the Ballyclare golfer one-over, two better than Peter Lawrie, shot also shot 72. Paul McGinley (77) and Michale Hoey (79) were six and nine-over respectively.