South
African Retief Goosen compiled a two-under-par third round 70 to keep his lead
in the Volvo Masters on Saturday as his rivals jockeyed for position behind him.
After a frenetic back nine
in which Irishman Padraig Harrington dropped from a share of the nine-hole lead
to five behind after 12, Goosen finished on 16-under 200 and led by two from New
Zealand's Michael Campbell (67).
Jose Coceres of Argentina (68) held third place, another shot behind.
Harrington clawed a shot back in a disappointing 73 to finished level fourth on
204 with Spaniards Sergio Garcia (67), Miguel Jimenez (69) and Miguel Martin (67).
European number one Colin
Montgomerie had an indifferent 71 and shared ninth spot on 206.
British Open champion Paul Lawrie was penalised two strokes for taking an illegal
drop from ground under repair at the back of the ninth green.
He was reported by a spectator and dealt with by tournament referee John Paramor.
A four became a six, 67 was then 69 and Lawrie found himself equal ninth instead
of joint fourth.
Goosen said:
~When I won at Slaley Hall in 1996 and the French Open for the first time in 1997,
I led after every round so I know I can win from the front."
Goosen credits his improvement to an eight-month association with Belgian sports
psychologist Jos Vanstiphout.
"I
decided to work with Jos because though my swing was all right, I was not thinking
well around the golf course and I was too uptight at times," Goosen said.
"It has definitely helped my concentration
and helped me stay calm on the course.".
Garcia launched a raid on the front runners with an outward 30, including a 40-foot
birdie putt at the sixth and an eagle at the ninth. But he faded on the back nine.
