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Larrazabal leads Monty in France

Sat 28th, June 2008

Paris, France (Sports Network) - Pablo Larrazabal shot a four-under 67 on Saturday to remain in the lead for the third day in a row at the Open de France.

Larrazabal, a 25-year-old Spaniard seeking his first European Tour win, finished three rounds at 11-under 202 for a three-shot lead over eight-time Order of Merit champion Colin Montgomerie and Soren Hansen.

Four birdies on the front nine kept Larrazabal in the lead, and steady play on the back nine ensured he stayed there heading into Sunday.

"A great round," he said.

Montgomerie, seeking his 32nd European Tour victory, bogeyed back-to-back holes late in his round to shoot a three-under 68 and fall three shots off Larrazabal's lead.

Hansen bogeyed the 17th hole for the third straight day and posted a 67 to join Montgomerie in a share of second place at eight-under 205. Chasing his third European Tour win, the 34-year-old Dane had five birdies and was bogey- free on his first 14 holes.

"I knew I had to do something special today to keep up because there was a lot of birdies out there," said Hansen. "I'm very satisfied with four-under today."

Lee Westwood (69) and David Lynn (71) were one shot further back at seven- under 206, and Markus Brier (66) stood as the only other player within five shots of the lead at six-under 207. Lynn shared the overnight lead with Larrazabal.

Graeme McDowell, who was seven shots back after a round of 67, talked about the "story of two nines" at Le Golf National -- the birdie-friendly front nine and the tougher back side.

"The front nine does give up a few more chances. It's a little bit more wide- open and you get more chances off the tee," he said. "The back nine, you take your pars and run."

So it wasn't surprising that Larrazabal got out to a good start on Saturday, collecting birdies at four of his first eight holes. He made back-to-back birdies twice -- at the second and third, then the seventh and eighth.

After building a three-shot lead, Larrazabal played steadily with seven consecutive pars through the 15th hole. He stumbled to his second bogey in as many days at the par-three 16th -- and later shook off the notion that it had anything to do with nerves.

"It's not an easy par three," Larrazabal said.

He came right back with a birdie at the 17th, sticking his approach to about a foot to move back to 11-under for a three-shot lead. The extra cushion felt good with the likes of Montgomerie and Hansen on his heels.

"It's great for me to fight against these kind of big stars," said Larrazabal.

Where the players come to play and STAY.