Three top tight leaderboard

The Loch Lomond log jam showed little sign of clearing on Friday as Notah Begay, Tom Lehman and Ernie Els ended the third round locked together in the lead at eight-under-par, one clear of another group of three.

The day began with 13 players separated at the top by two shots and although most collected early birdies they again struggled in the unpredictable winds and bogeys abounded.

Sub-par rounds were a rarity but Begay, in contention throughout the tournament, and playing partner and fellow American Lehman, both shot best-of-the-day 68s to edge ahead.

South African Els, alone among the five midway leaders to improve his score, overcame three front-nine bogeys to shoot 69.

Defending champion Colin Montgomerie moved up with a 68 to join South African Retief Goosen and Nick Faldo on seven-under.

Montgomerie closed with a 15-footer for birdie and was pleased with his efforts.

"I started badly but it was a good finish," said the Scot. "I had to do it the hard way and sunk a 25-footer on 10 (for birdie) and of course it's always nice to finish like that.

"I was three behind going into the final round last year and although the field is a lot stronger I'm in a position to win.

"It's a job well done."

While Montgomerie expects to be in contention, it is something of a novel situation, at least over the last three years, for fellow Briton Faldo.

The winner of six majors said he was delighted to be in the hunt after a "reasonably solid" round of 70 with three birdies and two bogeys.

"The course is not easy at all," he said. "It's blustery and it's tough to break away and shoot something like a 66.

"But I'm in there, a shot off the lead and if I put my head down tomorrow, put the blinkers on and put a score up there we will see what happens."

Goosen, joint opening-round leader, looked set for sole possession of first place as a superb driving display helped him reach nine-under after 12 holes. But a wild putt which shot 12 feet past the hole on 16 led to a bogey which was followed immediately by another dropped shot.

Australian teenager Adam Scott dropped a shot on the last to finish level par and six-under after three rounds, along with New Zealander Michael Campbell.

Jarmo Sandelin, who shared the halfway lead, was having a tough time at four-over until the 205 yards par-three 17th where he holed in one.

But the Swede, who walked the length of the hole punching the air, was disappointed to discover he will not pick up the $100,000 prize. The money is only available for a final day ace.

It was another poor day for world number two David Duval, whose 76 left him six-over for the tournament. Fellow American Phil Mickleson shot a 73 to drop to level par.

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