HOWELL AND HANSEN LEAD INTO FINAL DAY OF FRENCH OPEN

David Howell and Anders Hansen share the lead heading into Sunday's final round of the Alstom Open de France following a topsy-turvy third day at Le Golf National near Paris.

Hansen and George Coetzee spent much of the afternoon at the summit of the leaderboard, and each made it to eight under either side of a 35-minute interruption caused by a brief thunderstorm.

However, both men were to falter in the closing stages of their penultimate rounds, the Dane bogeying 16 and 17 while South African Coetzee dropped three shots in the space of six holes to sit one off the pace at five under. 
GOOD FOR HOWELL

Their late struggles provided excellent news for Howell, a four-time European Tour winner who is now ranked 350 in the world. The affable Englishman, two under overnight, surged into contention with a hugely impressive 67 containing five birdies and just one bogey.

“I played beautifully. It’s been three good rounds so far,” said Howell. "Today was probably the way you want to play the golf course. The way I played, I kept the ball on the whole in the fairway and took my chances when they came along. The confidence is building by the day and today's round was important for me, and tomorrow's will be of course. I’m enjoying it.”

Despite his late wobble, Hansen declared himself satisfied with a round of 69 that leaves him well placed to claim a fourth European Tour title.

“I’m very pleased,” he said. “Obviously disappointed to drop shots on six and 16, and on 17 I hit a bad drive, but two bogeys on a tough, tough day like today; it’s very decent. I’ve heard it’s going to be very, very windy tomorrow. We’ll see what’s going to happen.”

Hansen has been making changes to his swing and is thrilled to see his hard work paying off.

Home favourite Raphaël Jacquelin went round in 70 to lie two behind Howell and Hansen. He was joined on four under by overnight leader Marcel Siem, who struggled to 73 after carding back to back 68s earlier in the week.
WELL SUPPORTED
Jacquelin paid tribute to the support he received on the course and highlighted how important this event is for French players.

“It was great to see the public coming, even if the weather was not very good,” he said. “I hope they are going to be there a lot tomorrow and support me.  I will try to do my best, and we'll see. It's like a fifth major for us, and so it would mean a lot but I don't want to put too much pressure (on myself).”

Henrik Stenson and Ian Poulter were a shot further back, while David Lynn showed tremendous character in posting a 72 that left him on two under. Lynn started double bogey-triple bogey and lost further ground on the fourth before bouncing back superbly with five birdies.

The fourth and final round will start on Sunday morning at 7.50. Players will be paired in groups of two and will start from the 1^st tee. Last tee off at 1.20pm. Prize ceremony is scheduled at 6pm.

THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD

Par 213 (3x71)

207 David Howell (England) 70 70 67, Anders Hansen (Denmark) 70 68 68

209 George Coetzee (South Africa) 70 68 70, Raphael Jacquelin France) 68 71 70, Marcel Siem (Germany) 68 68 73

210 Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 78 73 69, Ian Poulter (England) 72 69 69

SCOTS' SCORES

212 David Drysdale 70 70 72 (T13)

213 Marc Warren 76 69 68 (T22)

215 Scott Jamieson 71 74 70 (T31)

218 Craig Lee 73 71 74 (T55).