Gritty Westwood moves into lead

Lee Westwood on Friday demonstrated his determination to hang on to one of his most cherished trophies.

The 26-year-old from Worksop, having already handed over three of the seven titles he won last year, takes a one-stroke lead into the final day of the Standard Life tournament at Loch Lomond.

And he found himself totally at odds with Colin Montgomerie's description of the event as a "putting competition."

Westwood said after a bogey-free 67 lifted him onto the 12 under par mark of 201: "I think the course deserves better than to be called a putting competition.

"I'm playing as good as I ever have tee to green and it's great timing with the Open next week.

"My form is building and my confidence is growing. Each day I'm hitting it better."

In what looks like being a thrilling finish to the £1million tournament tomorrow, Westwood is one in front of 1996 winner Thomas Bjorn, Swedes Mats Lanner and Jesper Parnevik and Welshman David Park, who would have shared top spot but for three-putting the last green.

Nineteen-year-old Sergio Garcia is two back and Montgomerie only three behind along with course record holder Retief Goosen, New Zealander Michael Campbell and Devon's Roger Winchester.

Nick Faldo, down to an all-time low of 189th in the world rankings, cannot be totally ruled out either. He is five behind after a 68 and delighted to have found some putting form at last.

Parnevik led by one at the start, but Spanish sensation Garcia, winner of the Irish Open last Sunday and round in a mind-blowing 62 on Wednesday, came out firing on all cylinders again with birdies at the first three holes.

This time he could not sustain it, though. He bogeyed both the sixth and seventh, then the 14th and 16th, but revived his hopes of winning both his sixth and seventh professional tournaments with a closing birdie for a 71.

Parnevik had a rollercoaster ride as well and also finished in 71, but will most remember the day for an incident on the short 11th - and so will a fan.

The Ryder Cup Swede horribly hooked his four-iron tee shot and caught the spectator on the head.

As blood poured from the wound medical staff were quickly on the scene. Parnevik was obviously concerned and said: "It made me feel sick.

"He said he was fine, but he didn't look it. The medics told me he was going to be all right and it was just as well it was a four-iron shot and not a driver."

Meanwhile, Westwood and Park, playing together, were going along quietly and effectively.

Westwood had birdied the long third in an outward 35, then made his move by picking up further strokes at the 12th, 13th and 15th.

It should have been four in a row, in fact, but he missed from 18 inches on the 345-yard 14th.

Park's birdies at the eighth, ninth, 13th and 14th got him to 12 under first, but missing from three feet at the last gave Westwood sole possession of the lead.

Nevertheless, it was another remarkable performance from the 25-year-old from Hereford, who played his first European tour event only three weeks ago.

In that - the Moroccan Open - Park lost a play-off. And seven days later he won the European Grand Prix at Slaley Hall to change his life.

A group of Hereford businessmen took out shares in Park at a time when he was desperate for cash and, with over £150,000 already and a first prize of £166,660 on offer on Saturday, he admitted they must be "rubbing their hands."

Montgomerie, seeking his first solo success on home soil, was one over for the day with five to play, but birdies at the 14th and 18th left him lurking dangerously again.

Faldo, with a best finish this season of seventh at the Benson and Hedges International in May, has switched to a cack-handed style on the greens and smiled: "It's made a dramatic difference.

"I have a few drills in the room I'm working on. They're top secret - but they involve a Louis XIV table!

"My scrambling is keeping me going and that's nice. There are still some old faults creeping into my swing, but I'm hovering and want to be back on the leaderboard and be a threat again."

Garcia said: "I'm still just two shots back. If I play well I have a chance."