Golf Digest: Des Smyth's challenge at the US Senior Open is in danger of unravelling this evening after a shaky start to his third round at Whistling Straits.

Just three off Tom Watson's overnight this morning, Smyth has dropped four shots in his first five holes, including a double-bogey at the first, to slip well off the pace on one-under.

Tom Watson, who stormed to eight-under par with a round of 66 that featured eight birdies yeasterday, is level par through five holes and remains three clear of the field with Lonnie Nielsen his nearest challenger on five-under.

Meanwhile, Ireland picked up the European Amateur Team Championship title today with a 4 1/2 to 2 1/2 win over France at the Western Gailes in Ayshire.

Singles wins for Shane Lowry, Richard Kilpatrick and Jonathan Caldwell proved the difference in an absorbing day of golf. Walker Cup hopeful Rory McIlroy, who had been having a marvelous week before today's final, was unable to chip in with any points in today's decider.

Amateur Results

Final: France 2 1/2 Ireland 4 1/2

Foursomes(French names first): A Kaleka & A Bernadet bt R McIlory & J Caldwell 5&4, J Wolff & K Le Sager lost to S Lowry & R Kilpatrick 2 holes

Singles: R Bechu bt McIlory 3&2, V Dubuisson lost to Lowry 5&4, Bernadet lost to Kilpatrick 3&2, Kaleka lost to Caldwell 3&2, Wolff halved with S Ward

Third & fourth place play-off: Scotland 4 England 3

Foursomes(Scottish names first): J Byrne & K McNicoll bt P Waring & J Parry 3&2, J King & R Ramsay lost to J Moul & G Wolstenholme 2&1

Singles: K McAlpine lost to Parry 4&3, McNicoll lost to Waring 6&4, L Saltman bt D Horsey 4&3 King bt G Boyd 3&2, Ramsay bt Wolstenholme 2&1