Olazabal closes in on leader Park

Jose Maria Olazabal goes into the third and final round of the weather-disrupted Mallorca Classic on Sunday just a stroke off Briton David Park's lead.

The Spaniard made some amends for a double bogey just before the second round was called off early on Friday because of lightning and heavy rain when he picked up a stroke in his remaining five holes on Saturday to shoot a one-under-par 69 and move to five-under-par 135.

Park's 64 before bad weather moved in on Friday had set a six-under target which Olazabal had to wait to try to overtake.

Play had been scheduled to resume at 0645 GMT but further deluges kept the players from the course until 1430 GMT.

Olazabal was relieved to finish one under for his remaining holes as he tries to earn the prize money that will take him clear of 60th place in the European money-list, the final spot to qualify for the Volvo Masters.

Although the event has been reduced to 54 holes, full prize money will be awarded provided the tournament is not cut further.

"It was a long day and it's never very good to go out to finish off a round but a good par on the 14th, which is a tough hole, and then a birdie on 15 calmed me down," said Olazabal.

"I'm trying to get into the Volvo Masters from this week and next week in the Madrid Open but my main goal is to get some feel back in my game.

"I'm fighting the shots left with my irons and it was one of those shots that cost me the double bogey on 13 before we came in on Friday.

"I'll keep my fingers crossed but it's all down to how I swing the club tomorrow."

Playing partner and tournament favourite Lee Westwood, seven shots off the lead after finishing off a 69, refused to concede he had lost his chance of a third win in six events because of the shortening of the tournament.

"The plan should be to go out and attack but it's difficult because there are a lot of out-of-bounds close to fairways and greens," said European number five Westwood. "It's not out of the question to come back and have a chance of winning."

Olazabal shares second place with first-round leader Damien McGrane of Ireland. Last week's Dutch Open winner Maarten Lafeber of the Netherlands is in the fourth-placed group, two shots off the lead

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