Hansen takes lead with 3rd round 65

Denmark's Soren Hansen fired a seven-under-par 65 to move one stroke clear of the field in the Dunhill Championship third round on Saturday.

The Dane finished at 18-under 198 to lead French duo Gregory Havret, who returned a 64, and Raphael Jacquelin, a 68, after a day of near-perfect scoring conditions at Houghton Golf Club.

German Marcel Siem also returned a 68 to lie fourth at 16 under while Britain's Bradley Dredge, who carded a blistering nine-under-par 63, was a further shot back in fifth.

Among the day's other big movers, South African Open winner Trevor Immelman and Sweden's Joachim Backstrom vaulted into a share of eighth with 64s and local player Keith Horne fired a 63 in the morning to take the early lead at 13-under 203.

Former European number one Lee Westwood also put himself into contention, firing a six-under 66 to climb into a five-way tie for 10th at 12 under.

Hansen reeled off seven birdies in a blemish-free round, making the most of the benign conditions and receptive greens softened by rain earlier in the week.

"I played really well again today," said the Dane, who is chasing the second European Tour title of his career after his playoff victory at the 2002 Irish Open.

"I missed a few putts but also holed some very good ones here and there, so that makes up for it.

"I had my putter out on all but one hole today so I never really had to chip. Overall, it was a very good ball-striking round."

Havret got off to a fast start, collecting five birdies in the first six holes before a string of nine pars. But he finished in style with a three-birdie finish, including a holed bunker shot from just off the green at the par-four 17th.

"I played well all day and 17 under par is three perfect days for me," the Frenchman said. "I made a few good pars and to hole the bunker shot on 17 was important as it kept me in there."

Second-round leader Jacquelin did not fully cash in on the low scoring conditions, but signed off with a superb eagle at the last -- where he struck a three-wood from semi-rough to within 10 feet of the cup -- to stay in contention.

"My putting was not so good today, although I still hit the ball pretty good," he said.

"A few mistakes and a few missed short putts -- that's the difference between yesterday and today -- but I had a great finish."

Immelman, one of six players who contested a sudden-death play-off for last year's title, was delighted after producing one of his most satisfying professional rounds.

"It is definitely the best golf tee to green I have played in my career so far," said Immelman, who successfully defended his South African Open crown at Erinvale last week.

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