ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — Nick Dougherty took a three-stroke lead in the Dunhill Links Championship on Saturday after a 6-under 66, his best ever round at St. Andrews.
The 25-year-old Englishman had a 17-under total of 199 after three rounds at Kingsbarns, Carnoustie and the Old Course at St. Andrew’s.
The final round will be played Sunday on the Old Course.
Dougherty said his round was a personal breakthrough.
"I have never played particularly well round here. I seem to have shot a lot of 72s, 73s and 74s. I always seemed to walk off feeling I left my score out there," Dougherty said after a six-birdie round.
Peter O’Malley of Australia held second place with 202 after shooting 69 on the Old Course. It was marred by a visit to the Road Hole bunker at the 17th — his eighth hole — which led to a double-bogey six.
British Open champion Padraig Harrington, Paul Lawrie, Justin Rose and Steve Webster shared third place with 203.
Alan McLean of London, Ont., shot a 71 at St. Andrew’s but was well off the pace at 218.
Harrington had a 5-under 67 at Kingsbarns.
"I hit it badly off the tee. I played poorly but scored well and that is a sign you are ready to play," Harrington said.
Lawrie’s 64 at Carnoustie made him the sixth player to shoot the course record of 64. The 1999 British Open champion had a 12-foot putt to break the record.
"I pushed it. But I played great and knocked in the chances," said Lawrie, who won here in 2001.
Rose had a 66 and first round leader Webster 68.
Ernie Els was on an overall 204 after a 70 at Kingsbarns with his putting touch deserting him. Els, the world No. 5, has twice been second here and birdied the last two holes to keep his hopes alive.
"I just lost all my touch on the greens," Els said. "I don’t know what it was. I have got to step it up tomorrow."