BBC SPORT | Golf | Jacobson clings to lead

Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson played a solid round at Loch Lomond to retain the lead after the third day of action at the Scottish Open.

However, the Swede had his lead cut after starting the day with a four-stroke advantage and ending it with a slender one-shot lead over Eduardo Romero.

Clockwatch: Scottish Open

Justin Rose, with a round of 68, and Australia's Stephen Leaney (67) were a shot further behind at nine under.

Jacobson, looking for his first European Tour victory, began slowly and put himself under pressure with a bogey at the second.

He recovered slightly on the back nine, holing two birdies, before missing an easy putt at the 17th to post another bogey and end with a round of 71.

Jacobson was overshadowed by a clutch of impressive performances from a growing group of challengers.

Romero, lying in sixth at the halfway stage, produced a brilliant round of 65 to move up to second, holing seven birdies and only one bogey as he put the leader under pressure.

Romero ready to spring

And England's Paul Casey, hoping to qualify for next week's Open at Muirfield, also shot 65 to be lying four shots off the lead.

Casey shows his potential

Casey's compatriot Warren Bennett also challenged strongly and joined Jacobson in a share of the lead when he holed a fourth consecutive birdie at the 13th.

However, his round tailed off towards the end and the 30-year-old was disappointed to finish with a bogey at the 18th, leaving him in a tie for fifth.

And there was disappointing news for the home crowd as Sandy Lyle slipped out of contention for the title with a round of 75, having been second overnight.

Third round leaderboard from the Scottish Open (GB unless stated):

11 under: Fredrik Jacobson (Swe)
10 under: Eduardo Romero (Arg)
9 under: Justin Rose, Stephen Leaney (Aus)
8 under: Warren Bennett, Michael Campbell (Nzl)
7 under: Tim Clark (Rsa), Paul Casey, Roger Chapman, Jamie Spence, David Howell


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