Three tied for lead into last round

Thomas Bjorn, Niclas Fasth and Soren Hansen led a Scandinavian invasion Saturday, earning a share of the third-round lead at the Murphy's Irish Open.

Playing in the same pairing, Bjorn and Fasth matched the Fota Island course record with 8-under-par 63s, while Hansen carded a 64. The three have 54-hole totals of 11-under 202, heading a list of 27 players separated by only five shots.

Richard Bland of England also shot a 63 and is tied for fourth at 203 with Eduardo Romero of Argentina (66), Germany's Alex Cejka (66) and Darren Fichardt of South Africa (64).

A trio of players are at 204, a stroke ahead of a group of six that includes Sandy Lyle of Scotland (66) and Fred Funk (69).

Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland (65) heads a list of 11 golfers at 206.

Bjorn -- a native of Denmark --- and Fasth -- who is from Sweden -- went birdie for birdie in equaling the course record set by Colin Montgomerie and matched by Fasth just 12 months ago.

It could have been a preview for the Ryder Cup as Bjorn and Fasth played more like teammates than opponents.

"If we played like that, it would take a lot to stand up to is," Bjorn said.

"Obviously, we were feeding off each other," added Fasth, the runner-up at last year's British Open. "There were very, very few mistakes out there."

Hansen, also from Denmark, put on a show himself, nearly holing out twice en route to a 64

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