Goosen holds on to narrow advantage

U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen played a "rubbish" third round at the Smurfit European Open on Saturday but still held a one-shot lead.

Goosen, who won at Shinnecock Hills, N.Y., about two weeks ago, shot a level-par 72 at the K Club to bring his total to 207. He led by two shots through 36 holes.

Spain's Jose Manuel Lara carded a 67 to move into second. Lee Westwood had a 71, including a double-bogey 6 and eagle 3. He's two behind.

Paul Broadhurst and Peter O'Malley are three back.

Goosen shot a first-round 69 and second-round 66.

"It was not a good day -- it was rubbish," Goosen said. "I struggled to get a rhythm going. I seemed to be between clubs, and I hit a lot of poor shots."

Although the wind wasn't as strong as Friday, Goosen said it blew hard for six holes, diminished for four, then came from a different direction.

"I hope I'll play better (Sunday)," Goosen said. "But I've won most of my tournaments from the front, except for the U.S. Open. Usually I've led after all four rounds."

Lara had a disastrous start Thursday, going 5-over through his first nine holes. But he birdied the next five to finish on 73 and added a 68 Friday.

"Those five birdies in a row put me in the tournament," the 27-year-old from Valencia said. "They are why I am here now. I made two mistakes on the first two holes Thursday, but I have played really solid the last two days."

Lara, who has missed his last five cuts, is wearing a shamrock on his cap for luck. "A guy gave me this on Wednesday and said it would bring me luck, so I took it," Lara said.

Westwood parred the first seven holes, then birdied the short eighth with a wedge to 3 feet (0.9 meters). After driving into the trees at the ninth, he made a putt of 60 feet (18 meters) for an eagle.

"I didn't hole anything else," Westwood said. "The next longest putt was three feet. I got it inside 20 feet (6 meters) a lot of times but couldn't hole anything."

Richard Green had the best score Saturday, shooting 66. The Australian, who finished tied second at the French Open last week, had a 78 Friday.

"I felt I should have won that," he said. "But I've been playing well the last few weeks, and it's nice that it has come out on such a tough golf course as this."

American Ricky Barnes was disqualified at the end of the round because he signed for a wrong score.

Barnes signed for a four at the fifth hole when it should have been five. The error was spotted when his caddy, J.P. Fitzgerald, phoned to get his tee time Sunday. He said Barnes was 10-over-par after a 78 and not 9-over after a 77. Barnes later confirmed the error when his card was checked.

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