CASEY AND HANSON SHARE LEAD AT 16 UNDER IN BAHRAIN

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

Paul Casey justified his position as the highest-ranked player in the field by moving into a share of the lead alongside Peter Hanson at the Volvo Golf Champions in Bahrain today.

Using his power to eagle and birdie the two par-5s on the back nine - he was on the green in two at both of them - the World No. 9 shot a third-round 66 to join Ryder Cup Swede Hanson on 16 under par.
Victory for the Englishman could make it four Europeans in the top five on the Official World Golf Ranking with Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell currently first, second and fourth.
"It was fun," said Casey. "I had good control of the ball for the first time this week and drove it very nicely.
"It was only one shot lower than the first two days, but a lot more comfortable and probably should have been lower."
He missed from under six feet on the last.
Casey failed to retain his Ryder Cup spot last year, and went through the season without a win in either Europe or America.
"It's difficult,” he added. “I'm playing in the best events in the world and I do need to step it up, but I'm not worried about it."
Hanson, one of four halfway leaders, shot a second successive 67 to go with his opening 66 as he and Casey took a one stroke advantage over Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke and South African James Kingston.
An eagle on the ninth for the second day running was the obvious highlight for Hanson.
It followed birdies on the two previous holes and then came a 35ft putt holed for another at the 11th.
"I had high expectations in Abu Dhabi last week, but then went down with the 'flu," he stated.
"I still have a bit of a cough, but no fever and I'm very happy how I'm playing. It's going to be a tough final day, though, and it's all about trying to make as many birdies as you can."Clarke led the way after an opening 32, but then reeled off eight pars in a row before boosting his hopes of a 13th European Tour title with a closing 14ft birdie putt.
The 42-year-old is working on a putting tip from Ryder Cup captain José Maria Olazábal and commented: "It's definitely been an awful lot better.
"Even the ones I miss have been quality strokes, which is a pleasant change. José Maria told me it would take a while."
Miguel Angel Jiménez was back with a putter in his bag after breaking one into two pieces during a second-round moment of anger, but it did not do him much good.
Jiménez made three birdies yesterday, using a lob-wedge instead, but from a 65 and a share of the second-round lead he slipped back to fifth spot with a 69.
Round of the day was a course record-equalling 64 from 2004 Open Championship winner Todd Hamilton.
The American, who has switched to the European Tour after losing playing rights for the US Tour, had made the cut with only a shot to spare and still had five strokes to make up.
Sergio Garcia and Padraig Harrington went in the opposite direction with 73s - they are seven under and five under - and Colin Montgomerie remained three under with a 72.
THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD

Par 216 (3x72). Yardage 7,243
200 Paul Casey (England) 67 67 66, Peter Hanson (Sweden) 66 67 67.
201 Darren Clarke (N Ireland) 69 66 67, James Kingston (S Africa) 67 67 67.
202 Miguel A Jimenez (Spain) 68 65 69.
203 Matteo Manassero (Italy) 67 70 66, Johan Edfors (Sweden) 64 71 68, Stephen Gallacher (Scotland) 70 64 69 (35-34), Francesco Molinari (Italy) 66 69 69, Alex Noren (Sweden) 67 70 67, Edoardo Molinari (Italy) 68 65 71, David Horsey (England) 69 70 65.


REST SCOTS' THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
207 Richie Ramsay 72 68 67 (33-34) (T21).
210 Gary Orr 71 70 69 (34-35) (T43).
213 Paul Lawrie 68 73 72 (36-36), Colin Montgomerie 72 69 72 (34-38) (T56).






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