Chasing pack eyes Dodd lead

Finally the sun has come out over The Montgomerie Course as the third day of the Nissan Irish Open got under way at Carton House…

Finally the sun has come out over The Montgomerie Course as the third day of the Nissan Irish Open got under way at Carton House this morning.
Overnight leader Stephen Dodd is the man they all have to catch as the Welshman leads by one on five under. That said, the chasing packing is tightly bunched and includes home favourite Paul McGinley on three under. The Dubliner sets off at 1.32pm alongside Sweden's Pelle Edberg, who shot the low round (68) of the day yesterday.
Athlone's Colm Moriarty (-1) is next of the eight Irishmen who made it into the weekend and the 25-year-old tees it up with Frenchman Jean Francois Remesy at 1.05pm.
But undoubtedly, the biggest draw of the day is the pairing of Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington (11.07am). It won't be difficult to work out where these two are on the course because they will attract the biggest galleries of the day. Both are one over for the tournament as are Gary Murphy and Peter Lawrie.
David Higgins was first of the Irish onto the course and the Kerry pro remains on four over having covered eight holes in level par. Jimmy Bolger opened with a fine birdie three at the first to get back to one over.