Havret & Fraser lead into last day

Australian Marcus Fraser shot a 64 on Saturday to share the Scottish Open third round lead with Frenchman Gregory Havret.

World number two and defending champion Ernie Els signalled his intent to not forfeit his title without a fight by firing a 65 to lie four shots behind the leaders in a tie for sixth place.

Fraser, bidding for his second European Tour title after success in last year's Russian Open, and overnight leader Havret, with a round of 66, are on 14-under-par 199.

New Zealand's Michael Campbell had the best round of the week, a 63, only a shot off the course record, to be just one shot adrift.

Britain's David Howell is two shots off the lead and another Australian, Peter Lonard, is a further shot back.

Fraser and Havret have extra impetus to produce the goods in the final round with a British Open place up for grabs to the best finisher at Loch Lomond not already exempt for Royal Troon.

"I've never played in the Open and I really want to be there next week," said Havret, who lost a playoff for the Dunhill Championship to Germany's Marcel Siem earlier in the season.

"It was one of my goals at the beginning of the week.

"But there is only one spot and I think Marcus has his eye on it, too, so it's going to be a good battle whatever happens."

The 26-year-old Australian is also determined to head for Royal Troon after losing his chance of qualifying in Malaysia where an injured shoulder forced him to pull out of the Asian qualifier.

The R & A governing body deem that injured players cannot then enter other qualifiers.

"Getting into the British Open is my main motivation this week," said Fraser.

"I felt a little bit hard done by because of Malaysia but you've just got to cop it on the chin.

Els, who carded a 70 and a 68 for the first two rounds, said he had made adjustments to his swing on Friday to get into contention this week, working on a 'faults and fixes' system with the help of his caddie.

"Today could have been better if I could have holed a few putts on the back nine, but I'll need a low one tomorrow to have a chance of winning, probably lower than today," said Els.

"I was a little rusty at the start because of taking a break, and it's true my mind was on the British Open when I first came here but as the week goes in you get into the tournament."

Colin Montgomerie's revival came to a sudden halt when he plummeted 14 shots off the lead with a 76, his hopes of following up his 1999 title in tatters.

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