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Lundberg holds on to narrow lead

European Tour rookie Mikael Lundberg birdied the final hole at the K Club Saturday to shoot an even-par 72 and move into the lead at 12-under 204. The 27-year-old leads the field going into the final round of the European Open in a quest for his first career victory.

Lundberg lies one stroke ahead of Jarmo Sandelin and Henrik Bjornstad.

"This is the first time I've been in the last group on the final day," said Lundberg. "I hope to enjoy it. Hopefully today was the bad round of the way."

Lundberg started the third round with a three stroke lead but bogeyed his first two holes. He birdied the par-five fourth only to follow with another bogey but the rookie kept his poise by birdieing the seventh.

A birdie on the 12th was proceeded by a bogey on the 13th but a two-footer on the last hole brought him out of a three way tie with Sandelin and Bjornstad and gave him sole possession of first place.

"The way I played today I am very satisfied being in the lead," said Lundberg. "I'm a bit surprised that the guys behind me didn't shoot any lower."

One of the guys behind him did shoot low. Sandelin posted a 65 to move up seven spots on the leaderboard to 11-under in search of his fifth European Tour victory. The 1999 Ryder Cup player has only one recorded top ten finish this year.

"Far too long since I've been here," he said. "I have a son now, took some time off and I haven't been practicing as much as I should. My position in the Order of Merit is 142nd and if I went on the way I have been, I wouldn't be on the Tour next year."

Sandelin made his tear on the back nine birdieing three in a row from the 11th followed by birdies at the 16th and 18th.

Alongside Sandelin at 11-under par is Bjornstad after he posted a two-under 70 on Saturday.

At 10-under and leading the Irish challenge is Padraig Harrington, who finished with an eagle on the 18th for a round of 69. Harrington is trying to become the first Irishman to win on home soil since 1982 when John O'Leary won the Irish Open.

Another prize within Harrington's grasp is the diamond offered by Appleby jewelers to the first player who reaches 14-under par on the par fives over the four tournament rounds. The eagle on the par-five 18 moved him to 10-under over the long holes.

Five other players are within four strokes of the lead including Darren Clarke, who remained in contention despite a triple bogey on the 17th. Clarke is followed by Costantino Rocca, Paul Casey, Michael Campbell, and Ian Woosnam, all at eight-under.

Colin Montgomerie, last week's winner at the Irish Open, is five strokes off the lead at seven-under.

Two-time defending champion Lee Westwood is at two-over par after a round of 73.

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