Gary Emerson holds on to narrow advantage

Briton Gary Emerson eagled twice in a one-under round of 69 to maintain a one-shot lead at the Dutch Open on Saturday.

Emerson, seeking his second European Tour title, began spectacularly by holing out with his second shot for a two on the first and then fought back from a double-bogey with a 12ft eagle putt on the 12th on his way to nine-under-par 201. That left the Englishman a stroke better than his playing-partner and compatriot Paul Broadhurst (69) and Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez Castano, whose 66 was the joint best of the day.

An enigmatic third round helped Emerson forge ahead in his bid to add to the Russian Open title he claimed in Moscow last year.

After holing out with a sand-iron from 117 yards at the first to extend his overnight one-shot lead to three strokes, the 41-year-old stalled.

His lead was cut back to one when he bogeyed the sixth after plugging in a bunker face and he then dropped two shots on seven by finding heavy rough and a bunker.

A fine shot into the long 12th ensured he stayed out in front and his eagle return gave him hope of earning a two-year exemption and a chance to play in tournament champions event in China in November.

Emerson is determined to keep his feet on the ground, though, just as he did after his notable opening shot.

"It is hard to keep on an even keel after a start like that and I had a sticky patch in the middle of the round but I never felt it slipping away from me," he said.

"It's going to be a big day for me tomorrow but I'm determined to take it one step at a time and try stay in the present."

The leader is another follower of magician and part-time hypnotherapist Jamil Qureshi, who has already helped Nick Dougherty and Steve Webster to wins this year.

Emerson said he would be contacting his mind coach, who is in America working for Dougherty, for advice before the final round.

Fernandez-Castano, who briefly led the recent Italian Open, mounted his bid for a first win in his rookie year as the 24-year-old Madrid player came back from an early bogey with five birdies.

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