Westwood makes Scottish Open move

CLUBHOUSE SCORES: GB & Ire unless stated
-14 G Fernandez-Castano (Spa) -13 R Goosen (RSA), M Kaymer (Ger) -11 J Donaldson, S Kjeldsen (Swi)
Selected others:-10 L Westwood -9 M Laird -8 E Els (RSA), G Ogilvy (Aus) -7 D Clarke, MA Jimenez -6 R Fisher, D Lynn

Englishman Lee Westwood charged into contention at the Scottish Open after a stunning seven-under-par third round left him three shots off the lead.

Westwood, who has battled with a chest infection this week, birdied nine of the first 12 holes on Saturday.

British Masters champion Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano also fired seven-under to top the leaderboard.

The Spaniard edged one shot ahead of South Africa's Retief Goosen and German Martin Kaymer.

Westwood claimed he had been "stupid to play" with a chest infection on Thursday after he shot a two-over first round at Loch Lomond.

However, he carded a five-under second round before embarking on a third round where after 12 holes it looked like he might record the European Tour's first-ever 59.

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"Today I was thinking about 59 on the 13th tee," he said.

"I kept hitting the ball close all day."

The 36-year-old, who narrowly missed out in a play-off for the French Open last Sunday after a superb closing 65, will once again have huge expectation on him going into the Open at Turnberry next week.

A third placed finish in the US Open last year meant he was touted as a potential Open winner last year but after finishing 67th he complained about how hard it was for home players.

"It's just an intense week. The demands on your time are very great," added Westwood.

"If you can just go in there and not have to talk to anybody it would be a massive result.

"But unfortunately it's the Open Championship and I'm British - and I'm not the sort that's not going to talk."

Meanwhile leader Fernandez-Castano recorded what he called the "best" round of his life.

"That's the best ever - I've never struck the ball like that," he said.

"Unfortunately my putting was not as good, but after a 64 I am not going to complain."

Colin Montgomerie and Rory McIlroy are on two under, the Scot just relieved to be playing - having left the course after his second round convinced he had missed the cut.

"You never want to miss a cut before a major," said the 46-year-old.

"I'm delighted to be still in the tournament. I didn't want to have the weekend thinking about what to do or go to Turnberry and have people ask why I was there - because I missed the cut."

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