Bogeys strike to leave Craig Lee trailing Zions

Stirling's Craig Lee dropped back from a share of the lead at the St Omer Open with a three-over-par 74 yesterday.

Joint top of the leaderboard with Italy's Andrea Perrino at five under overnight, he had four bogeys in his round to end the day fifth on two-under par, four shots behind new leader Matthew Zions.

Perrino fared even worse with four bogeys and a double bogey leaving him a stroke further back on one under.

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Zions mastered some tricky conditions on day three in France to put himself firmly in the frame for his first European Tour title.

The Australian carded seven birdies and three bogeys - including four successive birdies from the ninth hole - to complete the round in four-under 67 and open up a three-shot lead heading into the final day.

Strong winds and heavy rain made things difficult for the golfers with only nine players below par on the leaderboard at the end of the third round.

The 32-year-old Zions, who lies six under for the tournament, is now hoping he can continue his form tomorrow.

"It was fantastic," he said. "It's so windy out there that it's borderline not being able to play. But I hit it great and putted amazingly.

"I feel like I'm getting better each day, particularly with my putting, and the hole is looking big right now. This is a good spot to be in and I'm excited about tomorrow. It's my first time leading a European Tour event going into the last round and it's pretty cool, but the most important thing is to still be there tomorrow."

Englishman Daniel Denison leads a group of three players on three under for the tournament, alongside South African George Coetzee and Federico Colombo of Italy. Denison also completed his third round in 67, with five birdies and one dropped shot on the par-four 12th.

Colombo signed for a level-par 71 with two bogeys on the back nine hampering his challenge, while a double bogey on the par-four 16th pulled Coetzee back to one over for the round. Ireland's Simon Thornton is in a share of fifth with Lee.

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