Lane sets new record
Barry Lane returned to the scene of the crime today and became The Belfry’s new course record holder.
Lane, who from three-up lost a crucial singles match to Chip Beck in the 1993 Ryder Cup, scored a sparkling seven-under-par 65 to charge into the third-round lead at the Benson & Hedges International Open.
And there was no doubt what was his shot of the day a 175-yard eight-iron at the ninth which flew into the hole without bouncing for an eagle two.
The 41-year-old had already birdied the second, third, sixth and eighth and the stroke gave him an outward 30, six under.
The back nine was not as exciting, but after a bogey at the short 12th he birdied the two par-fives, the 15th and 17th, to stand 10 under par with a round to go.
As he signed his card he was three clear of Mansfield’s Greg Owen, New Zealander Michael Campbell and Argentinian Angel Cabrera, but they were still out on the course.
Lane is winless since his million-dollar World Match Play Championship victory on New Year’s Eve in 1995 and twice since then has failed to finish in Europe’s top 100.
But he climbed 62 places to 41st last year and would be back in the top 10 if he lifts the £183,330 first prize tomorrow.
Colin Montgomerie, joint halfway leader with Owen and South Africa Roger Wessels, was battling to stay in the hunt.
Montgomerie’s chip-in birdie at the 408-yard fifth was sandwiched between two bogeys, he then holed a 35-foot putt on the ninth, but when he also bogeyed the short 12th after missing the green he was five behind.
Ian Woosnam and American star John Daly looked to have blown their hopes, though.
Only one behind when he set off again Daly double-bogeyed the short seventh in an outward 40 and with four to play was only one under.
Woosnam was also five under overnight, turned in 38 and after a birdie at the 11th bogeyed the next and double-bogeyed the 384-yard 13th, which he has failed to par any day so far.
Joint fifth on six under were his Welshman Phillip Price and his 1993 Ryder Cup partner Peter Baker.
Before the round Price relieved caddie Andy Prodger of his job after he discovered Prodger had agreed to link up with Montgomerie from next week.
Last Sunday night Montgomerie ended his 10-year partnership with fellow Scot Alastair McLean.
