Pablo feels no pressure to lead star names in France

6/28/2008

Pablo Larrazabal’s brilliant third round of four under par 67 at Le Golf National saw the 25 year old Spaniard hold off Ryder Cup giants Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood and everyone else in the field at the Open de France ALSTOM.

He may be 481st on the Official World Golf Ranking and a qualifier for the event, but Larrazabal outshone Montgomerie, Westwood and the rest to move to 11 under par 202, three clear of the eight-time Order of Merit winner Montgomerie and Søren Hansen, with Westwood joined by David Lynn a further stroke back on seven under.

Montgomerie is hoping that the presence of himself, Hansen and Westwood will give him the chance to land an unbelievable 32 European Tour victory as he looks to get back in the running for The Ryder Cup Team.

Westwood will be another major threat to Larrazabal’s hopes of landing is maiden European Tour victory, but the Englishman is well aware of how well the young Spaniard is playing.

Leaderboard – Round 3:

1. Pablo Larrazabal               ESP  65 70 67 202 -11
2. Soren Hansen                   DEN  69 69 67 205 - 8
    Colin Montgomerie           SCO  69 68 68 205 - 8
4. David Lynn                       ENG  70 65 71 206 - 7
    Lee Westwood                  ENG  69 68 69 206 - 7
6. Markus Brier                     AUT  70 71 66 207 - 6
7. Oliver Fisher                     ENG  66 73 69 206 - 5
8. John Bickerton                  ENG  72 69 68 209 - 4
    Rafa Echenique                ARG  69 71 69 209 - 4
    Richard Green                  AUS  73 71 65 209 - 4
    Soren Kjeldsen                 DEN  72 71 66 209 - 4
    Greame McDowell              NIR  69 73 67 209 - 4
    Charl Schwartzel                SAF  73 70 66 209 - 4

Source: European Tour