Wilson lead threatened

Low scoring was the order of the day as the challengers to overnight leader Oliver Wilson began to threaten in the third round of the Omega European Masters.

Wilson held a one-shot lead over defending champion Bradley Dredge after rounds of 65 and 66 gave him an 11-under-par halfway total at Crans-sur-Sierre.

But there had already been 11 eagles so far this morning as some of the star names started to mount a challenge for the £225,000 (€331,000) first prize and valuable Ryder Cup points in the first week of qualifying for next year’s clash at Valhalla.

Paul Casey, a member of the last two victorious European sides at Oakland Hills and the K Club, had picked up birdies at the first and second to improve to five under, while team-mate Lee Westwood was also five under after a birdie on the first.

At 543 yards the opening hole is an easily reachable par-five, especially at high altitude, and 12 players in a row made birdie or better.

Graeme Storm, winner of the French Open earlier this season, carded an eagle three and that was matched by Warrington’s Phillip Archer, who moved to nine under par as a result, two off the lead.