Golf: Raymond Russell rues disastrous end to third round in France

Published on Saturday 20 March 2010 08:41

LOTHIANS golfer Raymond Russell was today looking to bounce back from a dispiriting end to his third round in the Allianz Tour's French International at Golf d'Hossegor.

The former European Tour winner had thrust himself into the title reckoning yesterday by covering 15 holes in five-under to move into a share of the lead.

But the wheels came off his round with bogeys at 16 and 17 and a triple bogey seven on 18 in a level-par 71 which dropped the 37-year-old back into a tie for 10th on seven-under 206.

Russell, from Prestonpans, was today teeing up in the closing round five shots behind joint leaders, Matthew Baldwin of England and Frenchman Adrien Bernadet.

Perth rookie Gavin Dear, runner-up on the Alps Tour last month, birdied two of his last three holes in a one-under 70 and was sitting in a share of 26th with a three-under 210.

On the Ladies' European Tour, Musselburgh's Vikki Laing stayed on course for a possible breakthrough win after a second round of one under par 71 at the Lalla Meryem Cup In Morocco.

With a round to play, the 29-year-old was in a three-way tie for second place on five under par 139 and just a shot behind the leader, Sweden's Carin Koch.

Laing won on the US Futures Tour three years ago but is still waiting to claim a title on one of the world's main Tours.

She said: "I'm delighted with the way I've played so far this week. I feel I've had a good start to the season and it's nice to be in a good position going into the final round."

Starting on the back nine, Laing birdied the 11th, 16th and sixth but dropped shots at the 15th and fifth.

Koch, the 39-year-old Solheim Cup player who has won in America and Europe, repeated her opening 69 to stand on six under par and one ahead of Laing, England's Melissa Reid (71) and Germany's Anja Monke (68).

In the last round, Laing will play alongside Koch and Reid in the final threesome.