Mackenzie on target for title

Malcolm Mackenzie is on target for his first European Tour title in his 509th event in the French Open.

Mackenzie carded a third-round 65 for a 14-under-par total of 202 at Le Golf National, and goes into the final round with a one shot lead over defending champion Jose Maria Olazabal and Trevor Immelman.

Olazabal kick-started his bid to retain his title with a spectacular hole-in-one on the second on his way to a 67, while overnight leader Immelman saw his four-shot cushion wiped out as he carded a 71.

"It's been a weird week," said Mackenzie.

"I've just got back from a family holiday in Florida and three weeks off in total, and my daughter Cora was taken to hospital suffering from dehydration when we got back.

"I thought I was going home on Tuesday but my wife Natalie told me to stay and said Cora was better after they kept her in hospital for two nights. Maybe that spurred me on a bit.

"What amazes me is that I've had three weeks off - not hit a ball.

"It goes to show it sometimes does you good. I've just been on rollercoasters and things like that."

Mackenzie fired six birdies and chipped in for an eagle on the ninth as he came from five shots behind at halfway.

"I've holed more putts today than the whole of last year," he added.

Anders Hansen is in fourth place, two shots off the lead, with Gary Evans and Jean-Francois Remesy another shot adrift.

Colin Montgomerie's hopes have all but disappeared, however, with him needing to birdie the last two holes for a 71.