Big guns lurk behind unfancied duo

In this season of surprises on the European Tour, there is now a real chance of another at the Barclays Scottish Open.

With a round to go at Loch Lomond, Australian Marcus Fraser and France’s Gregory Havret, ranked 169th and 235th in the world respectively, share top spot in the race for the first first prize of £366,660 (€549,443).

And as if they needed an extra incentive to hold off the chasing pack, the pair are also competing for one place in next week’s Open Championship at Royal Troon.

The 25-year-old Fraser achieved the lowest round of his two-year professional career with a seven under par 64 that threatened to be even better when he went to the turn in a dazzling six under 30.

But halfway leader Havret, who slumped to an 82 when he took a two-stroke advantage into the final round of the Deutsche Bank-SAP Open in Heidelberg in May, was not to be shaken on this occasion.

The 27-year-old, winner of the Italian Open three years ago, had five birdies in an outward 31 and with a 66 matched Fraser’s 14 under par total of 199.

When they go head-to-head, however, they also need to be looking over their shoulders.

New Zealander Michael Campbell, following an eight-birdie 63 that was just one outside Retief Goosen’s course record, is only one behind, England’s Ryder Cup hopeful David Howell (67) is two back and Australian Peter Lonard has three to make up.

Then comes a group on 10 under comprising defending champion and world number two Ernie Els, round in 65, back-to-form Open runner-up Thomas Bjorn, former Open champion Tom Lehman and two more Englishmen in Ian Poulter and 45-year-old Roger Chapman.

Fraser would find it particularly sweet if he was the one to take the Open spot by triumphing.

He pulled out of the qualifying competition in Malaysia earlier this year because of shoulder trouble, but was told he could not try elsewhere later.

“I felt I was a littler bit hard done by, but had to cop it and take it on the chin,” said the former world amateur star. “I don’t think it’s fair if you have a legitimate excuse or a medical certificate.”

Asked about the 50-plus US Tour players who could not even be bothered to try to qualify two weeks ago Fraser joked: “Heart muscle, was it?”

Els’ only problem was not with his golf, but with a photographer – again.

For the second day running he was put off and this time he spoke to the person concerned himself rather than leaving it to caddie Ricci Roberts.

Referring to the incident with the cameraman, Els said: “I had a nice chat with the guy. He still said it wasn’t him, but he didn’t do it again.

“It’s just a little distracting when a camera clicks when you are over a putt. These things happen, but it puts you out of your routine. You don’t want to hear sudden things.

“We’re all professionals, though, and there are always going to be distractions.”

On his form he added: “I didn’t play my best golf the first two days – there was a bit of rust – but I’ve got some good work done.”

After a fortnight off, his game has quickly returned and he is many people’s pick to collect a fourth Major title next week on the course where he made his Open debut as an amateur in 1989.

Els was so nervous then that he admits he was in awe when he found himself next to Jack Nicklaus on the driving range.

He will certainly be fired up for his return to Troon, having been pipped for the Masters by Phil Mickelson and then losing the chance of the US Open with a closing 80 after he worked his way into the final group with eventual winner Goosen.

Here, after the expected birdie at the long third, he had three more in a row from the seventh for an outward 32, then picked up more shots on the 13th and 14th – the green where he had the camera click incident.

Meanwhile, Ian Woosnam resigned himself to the fact that next week will see him miss the Open Championship for the first time since 1981 – back in the days when he used to travel the European Tour in a van eating tins of beans.

A third round 68 was not enough to re-ignite those hopes after he had survived the halfway cut with nothing to spare at level par.

“Never mind the Open, it’s just nice to play well again,” said the 46-year-old. “That felt brilliant – I could have shot 60, but missed so many chances.”

With Bernhard Langer, Jesper Parnevik and Justin Rose among those already out of the Troon field, Jose Maria Olazabal is now another to miss out barring a last-round miracle.

He was not quite out of the running after he went to the turn in 32, but he then fell back alongside Woosnam on three under.