English trio in top form

England’s three top golfers continued to ride the crest of the Ryder Cup wave as an intriguing battle unfolded at the top of the leaderboard in the Dunhill Links Championship today.

Luke Donald’s sensational year, which saw him win the Scandinavian Masters and Omega European Masters, carried on as he led the field going into the final day.

The man from Hemel Hempstead, who earned Europe two-and-a-half points at Oakland Hills, cancelled out a bogey with five birdies at Carnoustie to amass a 17-under-par total.

When Donald finished he was two shots ahead of overnight leader David Howell, who struggled to come to grips with the same course.

But he stayed in the hunt after responding from a bogey at the third and double bogey at the fifth to pick up four shots to move to 15 under after 16. He had a 45-foot putt for birdie on the last but saw it roll agonisingly wide by just a couple of inches.

Ian Poulter might have been their team-mate in Bernhard Langer’s side but he was breathing down both their necks after a remarkable third round at Carnoustie.

The flamboyant star recovered from a dropped shot at the first to secure eight birdies to close on 15 under.

But the day belonged to Donald, who is still getting to grips with his new-found fame.

He said: “I am really pleased especially after going round here with a 68 because this is the toughest one of the three.

“It’s been an unbelievable year to come over here and win twice in Europe and play in a bunch of great tournaments and the Ryder Cup as well.

“I couldn’t have wished for a better couple of months. It’s nice to be swinging well and not see trouble.”