Lane joins Dredge on top of leaderboard

Barry Lane fired a six-under-par 65 to move into a share of the lead with fellow Briton Bradley Dredge after the Scandinavian Masters third round on Saturday.

Dredge, tournament leader after 36 holes, returned a 66 as the duo finished two shots clear of the field at 18-under 195 following an earlier-than-usual start to round three.

With the course left waterlogged earlier in the week and the forecast for more heavy rain on Saturday afternoon, the final group teed off at 0900 local (0800 GMT)

Both players were anxious to be in front by the end of the round, with a chance that Sunday's final round could yet be washed out.

After the lead changed hands several times, Dredge had an opportunity to edge ahead at the last but his 20-foot putt for birdie stayed right on the lip of the hole.

Lane saved par there from three feet, having missed a birdie putt from around 18 feet at the par-five 17th.

Dredge, in title contention for a second successive week, benefited from an aggressive game plan as he reeled off seven birdies on a course shortened by 386 yards that he believes is playing to a par-67.

"Fifty-eights and 59s are possible on this course and there are so many guys out there that can shoot low, so I've got to keep attacking flags," said the Welshman, whose only European Tour victory came at the 2003 Madeira Island Open.

Co-leader Lane, battling back to form after recent knee problems, is trying to make up for a final-hole collapse that cost him the Portuguese Open earlier in the season.

The 45-year-old former Ryder Cup player, helped by his new wife Camilla, is determined to clinch a sixth European Tour title.

"I've worked harder in the last nine days than in my first 20 years, especially with my chipping," said Lane, after mixing seven birdies with a solitary bogey at the 16th.

"Camilla has been my driving force. I'm out there chipping and Camilla keeps throwing the balls back."

Australia's Mark Hensby, playing this week on a sponsor's invitation, is poised to follow up on his remarkable record in the first three majors this year, in which he has finished tied for fifth, tied third and tied 15th.

He shot a 64 to climb into a share of third at 16 under with another in-form player, Swede Henrik Stenson, who also fired a 64.

Tournament favourite Adam Scott continued his move through the field with a 65 to finish five shots adrift but the Australian world number seven felt his opening 70 may have damaged his victory chances.

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