Browne challenge falters in France

High flying Irishman Stephen Browne suffered a spectacular collapse at the AA St Omer Open in France today.

Browne, one shot off the lead overnight, went to six under at one stage.

But his game went to pieces on the back nine. He came home in 41 after four bogies and one double bogey.

Browne is now tied for eighth place on level par, behind a group of six players on three under par.

The other Irish player in the field, Michael Hoey, shot a 74 today, which leaves him three over par in a tie for 25th place.

Meanwhile England's Simon Dyson moved into contention for the Aa St Omer Open and said: “I feel I am due a win.”

The 26-year-old is aiming to raise the bar a notch after finishing second in the BMW Asian Open.

But he has a fight on his hands in France as he is locked with five others at the top of the leaderboard.

Dyson has been a model of consistency and posted a round of 70 for the third successive time today.