Golf: German leads in NW of Ireland Open

Tobias Dier from Germany goes into the last round in the £220,000 North West

Tobias Dier from Germany goes into the last round in the stg£220,000 North West

of Ireland Open at Slieve Russell as hot favourite to take the title.

Dier carded a third round 66 to be three strokes clear of second-place Welshman Stephen Dodd.

Dier carded six birdies in his immaculate round, including closing with a

hat-trick from the 16th hole to open the sizeable gap ovedr the field.

He is five strokes clear of third-placed Robert Jan Derksen from Holland.

Philip Walton is out of the tournament. He retired at the 6th hole because

of a neck injury even though he played round to the 9th.

He didn't return scores for the 4th, 5th and 6th.

Walton was told at the 9th that if he had retired he was not allowed to play the course.

Best of the Irish is David Higgins who moved to seven-under-par with a round

of 69 that contained an eagle three at the 13th hole - the same hole as

destroyed Damian McGrane's chance of a high finish.

The Wexfrod club pro was seven under after 12 holes but suffered double-bogey at the 13th and dropped another shot on the way in to be four-under.

Gary Murphy is one-under, Des Smyth level par with John Dignam and Francis

Howley at two over-par.