Garcia gains upper hand

Sergio Garcia had gained the upper hand over Miguel Angel Jimenez in the battle of the Spaniards on the third day of the Omega European Masters in the stunning Swiss mountains today.

Having been just a shot ahead of his compatriot overnight, Garcia signalled his intentions with an eagle at the first to move away from his Ryder Cup team-mate.

Jimenez started with a birdie, but having both dropped shots it was Garcia responded quickly with a three at the par-four sixth to open up a two-shot gap at the top.

Instead of getting a fight from the 40-year-old or even defending champion Ernie Els so far, it was Ryder Cup wild card Luke Donald who was closest to him.

The rookie from Hemel Hempstead birdied the first and never let a bogey at the fourth affect him to bag two shots at the next two holes to move to 11 under on his own.

Even when Jimenez gained a shot at the seventh, the 24-year-old matched him on the same hole to maintain his three-shot advantage at 14-under.

Els was finding it difficult to make his move on the third day but he still made eight pars after an opening birdie to stay in the hunt at seven-under.

Another former champion of the Omega European Masters, at the beautiful Crans-sur-Sierre course, was causing Garcia more concern for the time being with Argentinian dangerman Eduardo Romero a shot behind Jimenez and Donald on 10-under after eight.

The veteran started the day on seven under and he picked up shots at the first three holes to move within three shots of the lead.

Australian Craig Spence, Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and South African pair Darren Fichardt and Charl Schwartzel were a further shot behind on nine-under.