Drysdale retains Moscow lead

Scotland’s David Drysdale held on to top spot on the leaderboard at the Russian Open as he established a one-shot lead through 12 holes of the course at the Moscow Country Club.

The 31-year-old claimed birdies at the fourth, sixth, 10th and 12th to lead by one from Spain’s Alejandro Canizares at 16 under.

Canizares was also four under for the day but his compatriots Carlos Rodiles and Francis Valera, who started the third round level with Drysdale, had slipped back slightly.

Rodiles was tied for third on 14 under after 12 holes of his round with Sweden’s Leif Westerberg, who carded a brilliant nine-under-par 63.

Valera was one over par after 12 holes – 11 under for the tournament – and tied for seventh with Englishman Andrew Butterfield, who finished as runner-up in this event last year.

The man who beat him in a sudden-death play-off, Swede Mikael Lundberg, was in a share of fifth on 12 under with Ireland’s Gary Murphy, with both players three under par after 14 holes of their round.