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Struver takes over lead
with 64
Germany's Sven Struver has
made a late bid to turn around a frustrating season when he took a one-shot lead
after the third round of the Italian Open.
A week after failing badly
at American tour pre-qualifying school, the 34-year-old Hamburg professional lifted
his spirits with a rousing eight-under-par 64.
His tournament total of
18-under-par 198 gave him a one-shot lead over rookie Frenchman Gregory Havret
going into Sunday's final round.
Overnight leader Havret
fought his way back into the fray with three successive late birdies to card a
68 and edge a shot in front of Britain's Bradley Dredge, who like Havret is looking
for a first tour title.
Struver is looking for his
fourth title three years after his last -- the European Masters.
But remembering his maiden
win in 1996 -- when he came from seven strokes behind in the South African PGA
Championship to beat double US Open champion Ernie Els -- he knows there is no
room for complacency.
"I'm only a stroke
in front so I won't be just sitting back," assured the leader. "I won
a tournament from seven behind, so anything can happen.
"If I play well and
putt well, I don't have to be scared. If I don't I'll open the door to a lot of
players, especially the ones trying to make their cards for next year."
The German was downbeat
about his position mainly because he was still feeling a crushing disappointment
at failing in America.
"I'm still feeling
very upset and it's been a frustrating season," added Struver. "I missed
out by plenty last week in America when I'd expected to make a much better go
at it, having played really well last time and only just missing out.
"It's a great disappointment
because my family enjoy America so much.
"But one win can change
the season for me and if I then do well next week in the Volvo Masters, maybe
I'll get a few invites to the US Tour."
Havret's three birdies from
the 15th put the 24-year-old back in the frame for his first win on the Tour,
while his compatriot Jean Van de Velde -- the 1999 British Open runner-up -- crashed
to a 74 and was eight strokes off the pace.
Spain's Diego Borrego, who
ensured a card for next year with his third-place finish in last week's Madrid
Open, hit a 65 to finish the round three-shots behind Struver.
Trevor Immelman eagled the
first with an approach to a few inches and the 22-year-old also carded 65 in a
bid to make it back-to-back wins for South Africa after Retief Goosen's win in
Madrid.
Italian Massimo Scarpa and
Britain's Shaun Webster gave themselves late chances to secure tour cards for
next year by moving within five of the lead into a share of sixth place.
Scarpa delighted the home
gallery with a 64 and Webster shot a 66.
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