Park & Carter share top place

Overnight leaders David Park and David Carter shared top spot after a dramatic finish in the third round of the Compaq European Grand Prix.

As his rival produced a bogey on the final hole, Carter 27, who began the afternoon two strokes down on the Welshman's 12-under-par overnight lead, sunk a magnificent 30-foot birdie putt ensuring the pair went into the clubhouse level on 14-under.

It was a tense confrontation throughout in windy conditions at Slaley Hall, particularly for rising star Park who on his European Tour debut finished second after a play-off in last weekend's Moroccan Grand Prix.

In the early stages Park, with three birdies in the first four holes, went 15-under. But a double bogey at the uphill semi-blind seventh and dropped shots at the fifth and ninth, saw him still on his overnight score at the halfway point.

Park who scored 70 after earlier rounds off 67 and a course record equalling 65, said: "It's always nice to play well and although I didn't play as well as I did in the previous two rounds I still managed to get it right and that was very pleasing.

"I was making birdies because I was trying to make them - not because David was making them. But if you're playing partner is playing well it helps."

Now the scene is set for a grandstand finish. Carter, winner of last year's Murphy's Irish Open and a member of the England team with Nick Faldo which won the World Cup, is by far the more experienced. He also knows the course well, having equalled the record in the opening round.

But Park has never faltered in what has been a momentous week which included celebrating his birthday on Friday.

Carter admitted: "Today was the first time I've played with David and he came back a couple of times from set-backs which is all credit to him. I think the fact that I have won the Irish Open and the World Cup obviously means I have a little more experience.

"But he could have his day tomorrow, be right up there for it but I am also determined. The guy who wins tomorrow is the guy who believes in himself and wants it most."

Before the pair's confrontation absorbed the 6,500 crowd, Lee Westwood, third at the Slaley venue in 1997, hinted he fancied his chances of clinching his first tournament this year. But Carter and Park now appear to be firmly in the driving seat.

Having shot a 67 to finish seven-under-par, Westwood said: "I wasn't thinking about winning this tournament when I went out today. All I was thinking about was putting in a good score to move up the leaderboard and then see what happens. It's not a foregone conclusion if David comes back to 11 or 12 under."

Playing without his contact lenses, Westwood shot a brilliant outward 32 including an eagle at the fourth and two birdies. But at the 13th and 18th holes he dropped shots when landing in the rough compensating for them with three birdies on the back nine.

Now having recovered from the neck injury which ruined chances in the Masters, Westwood said: "I'm happy with the way I played especially as I duffed the first six shots on the practice ground. It's nice to shoot a good score in far from ideal conditions and it vindicates my decision to play this week."