Thomas Bjorn opens four shot lead

Thomas Bjorn of Denmark defied gusts of up to 30 miles per hour to open up a four-stroke lead in the Smurfit European Open on Saturday, showing Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam how well he can play on the course where Europe will defend its trophy next year.

The Dane, who served as an assistant to Bernhard Langer at last year's Ryder Cup, is desperate to win back a place on the team. Although qualifying does not start for another two months, a victory here at the K Club would have to be noted.

While others dropped shots like confetti - joint halfway leader Jamie Donaldson had a triple-bogey and five double-bogeys in an 10-over-par 82 - Bjorn produced a outstanding 3-under-par 69 that was spoiled only by bogeying No. 17 and three-putting the final hole for par.

Despite the late struggles, it was still the best round of the day, improving him to an 8-under 208.

Closing his round out with a eagle on the par-5, 537-yard 18th hole, Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin finished with a 70, moving within four strokes behind Bjorn. England's Jonathan Lomas is tied for second after birdying his final hole to card a 72.

Bjorn walked out of the event after six holes last year, but that was on the other course at the complex, and he was glad to return to the layout on which he won a diamond necklace worth more than $176,000 for his wife Pernilla four years ago by playing the course in 14-under.

Having won the British Masters in May, another victory by Bjorn on Sunday could move him atop the European money list. And how sweet that would be 12 months after his game was in tatters and he was "fighting demons."

What a confidence boost it would be as well for the British Open at St. Andrews in two weeks' time. He was second to Tiger Woods there in 2000 - albeit eight shots back - while playing the highly regarded course for the first time.

The title still is up for grabs with Jacquelin and Lomas four shots back and another duo of Graeme Storm and Andrew Coltart tied for fourth at 2-under 214.

Donaldson, who like Jacquelin and Storm has yet to post a win on tour, had a nightmarish start, double-bogeying the first hole and bogeying the second. And things only got worse.

Bjorn, in contrast, birdied Nos. 4 and 9 to turn at 33 and picked up further shots at the Nos. 13 and 16 before cooling off at the end.

Darren Clarke, in his first event after a month helping his wife, Heather, in her battle with cancer and heart problems, is tied for sixth at 1-under following a 75 in which he did not manage a single birdie.

Defending champion Retief Goosen fared worse, carding a 77 to drop 10 shots off the pace at 2-over 218.

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