Olesen maintains firm grip

AUSTRIAN OPEN:DENMARK'S THORBJORN Olesen retained a firm grip on the Lyoness Open in Austria after a third-round 68 left him 16-under par and three clear of the field.

Atrocious weather at Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrugg on the first two days had left half the field still to complete their second rounds yesterday morning.

But 22-year-old Olesen was already in the clubhouse with a 12-under par halfway mark and yesterday stayed clear of his challengers, having dropped only one stroke throughout his three rounds.

Swede Rikard Karlberg had four birdies in his last six holes, including a 12-footer at the 17th to finish with a 66 in second place.

Benjamin Hebert of France returned a joint-best of the week 64 to move into a share of third place with compatriot Thomas Levet, England’s Richard Bland and home favourite Bernd Wiesberger.

Shane Lowry continued his impressive showing in the tournament, shooting seven birdies in a round of 68 yesterday to leave him nicely poised on 10-under par.

Compatriot Damien McGrane also shot a 68 to lie on eight under overnight.

David Higgins lost ground, however, signing for a two-over-par 74 which left him on four-under par.

First-round leader Pablo Larrazabal of Spain seemed to be out of contention when he followed his opening 64 with a 76 and dropped three more shots at the start.

However, he fought back with seven birdies in eight holes for a 68 and eight-under total.

Bland made five birdies around the turn in his quest for his first European Tour win on his 281st start, but missed a six-footer for par at the last to drop into a tie for third with a 68, while Wiesberger went one better with a 67.

Levet dropped shots at the first and third, but the former Alstom Open de France winner came storming back with birdies from eight feet at the eighth and 12 feet at the ninth, before sinking an eagle at the long 10th.

Olesen was steadiness throughout, with birdies at the sixth, seventh, 10th and 12th and no dropped shots.

The Sicilian Open winner was ninth at last week’s British Open and the rising star felt he should have been even further in front.Olesen said afterwards: “I didn’t hit the ball as well as I did the first two days.

“But I still had some good opportunities – I could’ve taken a few more, but the fact that I’m feeling slightly disappointed with a 68 is probably a good sign, because it shows how well I’m playing and how high my expectations are.

“The ball was flying a lot further through the air because it was so warm. It got really hot at times – I’m still sweating a little now.

“It made it a bit tougher, because you had to dry your hands a lot.

“But I can’t complain, because there was no wind at all so it was a perfect day for scoring, and I saw a few of the guys took advantage and went low.

“Hopefully I can do the same tomorrow.”

Challenge Tour graduate Hebert, without a top-30 finish all season, enjoyed playing with first-round leader Pablo Larrazábal.

“I played fantastically well,” said Hebert.

“It was very nice to play with Pablo and Peter (Hedblom), because there was a very nice atmosphere.

“Pablo was making lots of birdies, so I think we were having a little competition between us! I’m not sure who won in the end, but I’m very happy anyway.”