Gonzalo copes with loss by taking the lead

Scottish Open:Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano produced what he called the best round of his life to take the third-round lead in the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, but as much as he wants to win the €582,00 first prize tomorrow, he'd swap it for the return of his lost dog Petra on the Costa del Sol.

The three-year-old Shar Pei has been lost since Thursday night after being frightened by fireworks outside his mother-in-law’s home in Marbella.

“We’ve had her for three years since she was a puppy, and my wife was crying when I spoke to her on the phone,” said Fernandez-Castano, after a seven-under-par 64 lifted him into a one-stroke advantage over German Martin Kaymer and South African Retief Goosen.

Asked if he would rather take his fifth European Tour title or be told the dog had been found the 28-year-old said: “Believe it or not, I am going to say find the dog - anything to see my wife happy.”

He is prepared to offer a reward, but hastened to add: “Not tomorrow’s cheque, that’s for sure.”

About to become a father for the first time in eight weeks’ time, the Madrid golfer “only” equalled the lowest round of his Tour career.

But the British Masters champion stated: “That’s the best ever — I’ve never struck the ball like that.

“Unfortunately my putting was not as good, but after a 64 I am not going to complain.

“It’s funny. On the range I couldn’t hit a shot. I hooked one five-iron 80 yards left of my target.”

On the course, though, he started with three birdies, converted another chance on the driveable ninth and posted three more birdies coming home.

Kaymer is looking for back-to-back wins following his French Open play-off success over Lee Westwood last Sunday — and he did not drop a stroke either in a 66.

Goosen had been two in front of Adam Scott overnight, but after a smooth start bogeyed the 10th and 13th.

A 69 was still far better than the Australian managed, however. Scott, watched again by tennis star Ana Ivanovic, mixed five birdies with five bogeys and a double bogey at the 415-yard 12th.

Fernandez-Castano did not have the only 64 of the day. Lee Westwood produced the other to continue his brilliant recovery from a chest infection, which almost forced him out on Thursday morning.

Shane Lowry (71, Paul McGinley (75) and Rory McIlroy (72) are two under, while defending champion Graeme McDowell carded a 71 and will begin tomorrow’s final round on level par.

Damien McGrane dropped back to one under with a 73, meaning Darren Clarke is the best-placed Irishman on seven under after a 68.