Hend two ahead when European     Masters play suspended   EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS Scott Hend extended his lead to two shots at the Omega European Masters, where play was suspended overnight due to darkness following an earlier fog delay, despite a stuttering third round which left the Australian two over through 13 holes. The Australian had opened up a three-stroke advantage early on in round three after starting with a birdie at the first, while his playing partner in the final group, Darren Fichardt, struggled to three successive opening bogeys. In cold conditions at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, Hend dropped a shot at the fourth and the fog delay seemed to take the wind out of the sails of numerous players on the course including the two-time European Tour winner from Queenstown. Bogeys at at the eighth, 11th and 12th set him back but he managed to salvage a late birdie at the par three 13th before finishing up for the day to remain on the front foot on 11 under. Matt Fitzpatrick followed his one under front nine with six successive pars on the back nine, his bogey-free run helping elevate him to a share of second place on nine under alongside South African Fichardt and Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti, who were three over and level par through 12, respectively.

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS