Parnevik holding all the aces

While Nick Faldo was hitting hundreds of balls last week to try to get his game in shape for next week's Open, Sweden's Jesper Parnevik was spending most of his time playing bridge.

But, whatever the method, it seems to have been time well spent.

Faldo resumed the Standard Life tournament at Loch Lomond on three under par, Parnevik on seven under.

Not that even that was leading, however. Teenage phenomenon Sergio Garcia set off again this afternoon on nine under after an unbelievable 62 - a round which came only three days after he won the Irish Open with a closing 64.

Faldo can think of no two players he would rather see ahead of him.

Garcia and Parnevik are the two being tipped for Ryder Cup wild cards next month when the year-long qualifying race ends.

But if either or both of them climb into an automatic top 10 spot - Garcia at 18th has a real chance, Parnevik at 62nd only a slim one - the hopes of Faldo being selected by captain Mark James obviously are alive again.

"If they get in they might choose an old dog for experience and to keep them all in check," joked the 41-year-old.

After missing the cut in both the Masters and US Open this year Faldo has tumbled to 189th in the world, but in preparation for the Open he has been involved in a "mad overhaul".

He explained: "I've been trying to get my swing on the right plane and started hitting about 200 to 300 balls a day last week."

That included one day at Sandwich to get the feel of links golf again.

"It's not so much the number of balls as the intensity," he added. "I've been concentrating hard on every shot."

Parnevik is a keen bridge player, but on his own admission not a great one.

"It's the golf of cards," he said. "You have to think and a lot of things that happen remind you of golf. It's the same as mixed foursomes, though - never play mixed bridge with your wife. You end up screaming at each other."

Twice a runner-up in the Open and joint fourth last year - with Justin Rose - Parnevik has high hopes for Carnoustie.

He remembers the 1996 Scottish Open there, though. "I was 18th with a round to go, shot 78 and finished 16th - it was that tough."

Joint third overnight were Devon's former English amateur champion Roger Winchester and two more Swedes, Mats Lanner and Patrik Sjoland.

Defending champion Lee Westwood had four strokes to make up and Colin Montgomerie seven after hooking problems in an opening 69.