Ryder Cup trio embark on victory trail

Bernhard Langer’s Ryder Cup trio of Miguel Angel Jimenez, Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald put next month’s Detroit showdown with America to one side in Switzerland today as they went out together in the last group bidding for the Omega European Masters title.

Just one shot separated Jimenez, last week’s BMW International Open winner, from his compatriot and the Englishman, who both shared second place on the leaderboard overnight at 14-under.

Donald put himself in the shake-up with a magical 65 in the third round yesterday but lurking behind those three was the reigning champion Ernie Els, on 11-under.

The South African, who was attempting to emulate Seve Ballesteros’ feat of retaining the championship, shared that score with another former winner at Crans-sur-Sierre, Argentinian veteran Eduardo Romero.

Also four shots off the pace going into the last day was Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and Australian Craig Spence, who have improved with every round.