Remesy looking good for home victory

Jean-Francois Remesy, bidding to become the first Frenchman to win his home open for 35 years, took a three-shot lead into Sunday's French Open final round.

After his second round co-leader Ian Woosnam floundered late on Saturday, Remesy's nearest challenger is now Australian left-hander Richard Green.

Remesy hit a third-round Le National course record-equalling six-under-par 65 with a fine putting display, moving to 12-under-par 201.

Not since Jean Garaialde in 1969 has a Frenchman lifted his country's premier golf trophy.

"I'm in the perfect position, but it doesn't mean I am going to win," said 1999 Estoril Open champion Remesy, who needed only 25 putts in the third round.

"There is a lot of pressure on me, more from outside than from myself, from the French media, the crowds and the French people.

"But if I can give that opportunity to the French country, it will be great," added the Frenchman, who is chasing his second European Tour title.

Green's 66 moved him past Welshman Woosnam, whose double-bogey at the 15th and final-hole bogey contributed to him slipping back to third place, seven shots behind the leader.

Green, looking for a second tour win to go with his 1997 Dubai Desert Classic playoff success over Woosnam and Greg Norman, collected seven birdies.

"My first win was in my first year and I've come close a few times since. I feel like I'm ready to win again," said the Australian left-hander.

Woosnam has also not won since 1997, but is hunting the 30th European Tour title of his career. Seven strokes may be too much for the 46-year-old former world number one and 1991 US Masters champion.

Although his playing partner and co-overnight leader Remesy pulled away, Woosnam, who had bogeyed the 15th, 16th and 17th in the second round, was still hanging on to second place until he dropped a shot at 13th.

The Welshman then found water on 15 to drop two more, but still believes he has a chance of winning on Sunday.

"Shoot 65 and you never know, but the trouble with this course is just a couple of bad shots and it starts getting hold of you," he said.

Britain's Paul Casey broke the course record by a stroke with a 65 to climb to 11th, 11 shots off the lead but in position to give himself a chance for the third-place finish that could clinch his Ryder Cup debut.

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