Higgins slips out of contention

David Higgins lost significant ground on the leaders at the Austrian Open today, a level par of 72 leaving the Irish golfer nine shots of the pace.

The Kerryman had trailed overnight leaders Markus Brier and Simon Dyson by just three at the start of play but was unable to match their scoring at the Fontana club as the Austrian moved to 15-under-par with Dyson just a shot behind.

At six-under, Higgins has almost certainly ruled himself out of contention for the title but remains seventh in the standings and the prospect of a bumper payday still remains.

Brier produced his second miracle shot of the week to lead the for a third day. A wedge shot from 100 yards put the Austrian's ball into the cup on the 13th for an eagle two, the highlight of a round of five-under-par 66.

In Thursday's first round, Brier holed in one. He shared the lead overnight with Dyson who refused to be fazed by Brier's good fortune and trailed him by only a stroke after picking up four back-nine birdies in his 67.

"To win at my home club would be a dream and next to the birth of my kids and my wedding day it would be the biggest thing in my life," said Brier who comes from Vienna and is attached to the hosting Fontana Club.

"I was maybe a little bit lucky with the eagle but I did plan to play back off the slope and that's what happened."

Brier is looking for his third Austrian title after two Challenge Tour victories in the event, and his maiden full European Tour victory.

The tournament is threatening to be a two-man affair, with the third-placed men, pre-tournament favourite Colin Montgomerie and Dane Soren Hansen, a further five strokes back.

"Unless the wind gets up it should be a two-horse race but Simon's playing well," Brier said.

Dyson closed the gap by birdieing the last.

"Obviously the crowd wants Markus to win but they've been very fair," said the Briton, looking for his second win of the season. "I know what I have to do tomorrow."

Montgomerie had his seventh successive score in the 60s, a 69, but was once again dismayed by his putting.

"My long game is getting me by, it's as good as it's ever been, but I just can't get the ball in the hole," he said. "I'm too tight on my putter and maybe trying too hard. My long-game won't get me by alone next week (at the U.S. Open), so I have to do something quickly."

Gary Murphy is next best of the Irish as the Kilkenny pro moved into a tie for 14th on four under after returning a 71.

Since returning from surgery Paul McGinley is still struggling to find the form he needs to maintain a place in this September's Ryder Cup team.

Although the Dubliner reached the turn in one under, a bogey and double bogey on the back nine meant he signed for a 73 to be two over. Stephen Browne had greater woes after a 78 left him six over