Garrido takes a one shot lead

Spain's Ignacio Garrido damaged his driver and had to use a three-wood but still gained the lead in the Moroccan Open on Saturday.

The former Ryder Cup player anticipated a threat in Sunday's final round from exciting young Australian amateur Adam Scott, who comfortably out-drove him to finish only two strokes behind.

Garrido, whose only Tour win was in the 1997 German Open, a victory which earned him his Ryder Cup spot that year, replaced Pedro Martinez at the top.

He cancelled out a two-shot deficit on the Paraguayan with a third round five-under-par 67 for a 17-under 199 total.

Martinez, leader of the first two rounds, also had to make way for French outsider Sebastien Delagrange, who charged through the field to slot into second place aided by birdies at the last four holes. His 65 left him just a stroke behind Garrido.

Only three shots separated the top seven on a crowded leaderboard, with 19-year-old Scott in with a chance to become the first from the unpaid ranks to win on the European Tour since its inception in 1971.

Garrido reckoned Scott, who is coached by Tiger Woods' teacher Butch Harmon, was a Woods 'clone' after admiring the youngster's game.

"I thought I was playing with a white Tiger Woods," said Garrido. "He has exactly the same game, unbelievable.

"From the first drive we could see he was very similar. He out-drove me comfortably, which is unusual."

Scott added a 69 with a final hole birdie to hold a share of third place on 201 with South African Desmond Terblanche, England's Ian Poulter and Martinez. Another Englishman, Jamie Spence was a further stroke back.

Garrido made known his intent when he surged straight into a share of the lead on the first.

There was a two-shot swing when he birdied while his playing partner Martinez, bogeyed as the Spaniard made light of his loss of the driver.

"I broke my driver at the second hole yesterday," said Garrido. "The face has a cut in it which is unfortunate, because I can't get a replacement in Morocco and it meant I didn't manage to birdie three of the par fives today.

"But I'm making up for it with the irons. I've only missed one green in 36 holes."

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