Pair of Brits Share Lead at Open de Espaņa


A couple of Englishmen, David Howell and James Morrison, head into Sunday's final round tied for the top spot at the Open de Espaņa. The European Tour event got underway Thursday at Real Club de Golf El Prat near Barcelona.

Howell, a 39-year-old with five victories in Europe, carded a 4-under 68 to reach 7-under 209 through 54 holes. Also at that number is the 30-year-old Morrison, who posted a 69 during another blustery day in Spain.

Howell had seven birdies, two bogeys and a double, while Morrison overcame a double on the par-5 second hole with seven birdies and a bogey.

"I'm delighted to be in the mix again," Howell told the European Tour's website. "I haven't managed to win this year but I've given myself three chances and this is going to be a fourth chance - hopefully I'll do it tomorrow.

"It's a real challenge and the course is really firm. But it's very fair - you've got to be on the fairway," added Howell, winless since the 2013 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. "As the week's gone on it's felt like a really, really good championship. It's got tougher and tougher as the week has gone on and the crowds have come out so it's just the way it should be."

Morrison was pleased after overcoming a rough start. "It's been three very silly days - the first day I was three over after five holes and today made a seven at the second out of nowhere and fought my way back again," said Morrison, whose only win came in 2010 at the Madeira Island Open in Portugal.

"It's what you've got to do really - it takes one good shot to get back in it. I've done that all week; I've really maintained my process and my game plan. It's always a great week - it's always really well run and it's great fun."

Two strokes back is Italian Francesco Molinari, who shot a 70, while trailing by three are South African Darren Fichardt (73) and Argentina's Emiliano Grillo (72).

Halfway leader Edouard Espana dropped into solo sixth following a 76, while sharing seventh at 214 are Ricardo Gonzalez, Michael Hoey, Benjamin Hebert, Byeong Hun An, Jorge Campillo and Sergio Garcia.

Garcia, the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 7, fired Saturday's low round of 67. The 35-year-old Spaniard knew he needed a good score after starting with a 75 and 72. "I obviously needed a great round today, and it would have been if I hadn't made those two bogeys on 12 and 13," said Garcia, who lost in a playoff in last week's Players Championship in Florida to Rickie Fowler.

"But to be able to birdie 14 and 15 with two very nice shots and good putts got me back on track. I didn't play much different than the first two days. I managed to make a couple of nice putts early on, and a couple of things went my way. I missed my drive on 18 and managed to get away with it and make birdie. That made the difference between today and the first two rounds.

"The course is playing similar. The wind is not as strong but it's still gusty," added Garcia. "If you play well you can post a decent score, but if you're a little bit off, you can struggle on this course. If the leaders don't go much lower than what they are, with another great round tomorrow I have a chance. If it doesn't rain the course is not going to play any easier."

Defending champion, Miguel Angel Jimenez, enters the final round tied for 13th at 215 with Englishmen John Parry and Matt Ford after a 72.

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015036/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y.