Claydon on charge with 29

Swede Klas Eriksson and England’s Russell Claydon produced the best rounds of the early starters on the final day of the Murphy’s Irish Open at Fota Island.

Eriksson raced home in just 30 shots with three birdies and an eagle three at the final hole to card a 65 for a seven-under-par total.

Claydon, who is languishing at 165th in the Order of Merit, was out in the second group of the day. He went one better on the back nine with a 29 which included seven birdies for a round of 66.

The 37-year-old lost his playing privileges last year but finished 13th at the Qualifying School to regain his tour card.

However, he has failed to recapture the form he showed when winning the BMW International in 1998, with a 17th place finish at the Portuguese Open, the best result of another disappointing campaign.

Meanwhile, two of the pre-tournament favourites were enjoying better fortunes on the final day.

Defending champion Colin Montgomerie recovered from a dropped shot at the first to reach the turn in 34 and seven under.

Padraig Harrington picked up three birdies on the outward nine to improve to eight under, the same score as Des Smyth, who briefly shared the lead during the third round.

Danes Thomas Bjorn and Soren Hansen and Swede Niclas Fasth shared the lead on 11-under-par as they prepared to tee off for the final round, with just one shot separating the top seven players.

Murphy’s Irish Open Leaderboard

11 under - Thomas Bjorn (Den) (after 54 holes)

Niclas Fasth (Swe) (54)

Soren Hansen (Den) (54)

10 under - Richard Bland (54)

Darren Fichardt (Rsa) (54)

Eduardo Romero (Arg) (54)

Alex Cejka (Ger) (54)

9 under - Nick Dougherty (54)

Soren Kjeldsen (Den) (54)

Joakim Haeggman (Swe) (54)

Selected Others:

8 under - Stuart Little (54)

Sandy Lyle (54)

7 under - Colin Montgomerie (63)

6 under - Paul Casey (57)

5 under - Ian Woosnam (59)

Mark Pilkington (62)

Lee Westwood (61)