Australia’s Hend shoots 65, leads European Masters 3rd round

At the top of the leaderboard, France’s Romain Langasque and England’s Richard Bland had both birdied the third to improve to 10 under, a shot ahead the Australian duo of Scott Hend and Richard Green.

The 43 year old, victor of the True Thailand Classic Presented by Chang last March, was at one point three shots ahead after he opened with a birdie three at the challenging first hole, before three consecutive birdies from the sixth took him to the turn in four under.

DAVID Howell is hoping to build on his third-place finish at the Czech Masters a fortnight ago as he prepares for action in the Omega European Masters.

Masters champion Danny Willett, defending his title at the Crans-sur-Sierre course in Switzerland, is six shots back after a two-over par 72. “Sometimes you have 160 metres and you have to hit a nine iron so you have to be really focused, take the decision before the shot and understand some good shots will miss and some bad shots can finish good”.

In contrast, Hend’s drive finished on a cart path to the right of the fairway and the 43-year-old went on to make his only bogey of the day to card a 65 and finish 13 under par.

Behind that pair Bland sits on 10 under, the Englishman who was one of three joint overnight leaders having to settle for a round of 69.

“I just want to play solid golf again (tomorrow) and hopefully hole some more putts and see where we end up”.

Lee Westwood is the best of Europe’s Ryder Cup players, with a 67 to be five-under par. I had chances to win more but I’ve only won twice. I enjoy the occasion and that’s why I play golf for.

“Rosey and I were team mates in Rio and will be team mates in the Ryder Cup so we are spending a fair bit of time together these days”, Willett added.