Rookie Moul in contention in Russia

Jamie Moul, playing only his second European Tour event, is just one shot off the lead going into tomorrow's final round of the Inteco Russian Open.

The English golfer, a former world amateur number one, birdied the final three holes at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club to shoot a superb third round 64, the lowest score of the day.

The 23-year-old, who turned professional last September after playing in the Walker Cup, had also carded five birdies on the front nine and looked like leading overnight until Sweden's Mikael Lundberg holed his third shot to the par-five 15th for an eagle.

Lundberg, winner here in 2005, recorded a 68 to lead on 17-under-par, one ahead of Moul, with England's Benn Barham and South African Michiel Bothma three shots off the lead on 14 under par.

Former Ryder Cup player Jarmo Sandelin is a shot further back alongside England's Robert Rock and South African Darren Fichardt.

Sandelin began the day tied for the lead with compatriot Lundberg but could only manage a level par 72 as he tries to win his first European Tour title since 2002.

Moul shot rounds of 79 and 78 on his only previous European Tour start in South Africa in December last year, and has won just £2,482 (€3,148) from six starts on the Challenge Tour in 2008.

But victory tomorrow would be worth £166,000 (€210,581) and a two-year tour exemption which would secure his playing rights until the end of the 2010 season.

"It's been a bit slow to be honest," Moul said of his season so far on www.europeantour.com.

"It didn't start off great but I have been starting to play well over the last couple of months.

"The scores haven't really reflected that so it's nice to see them going into the red for once. I am quite happy with my game now. I have played six Challenge Tour events and my game has been there or thereabouts.

"This is a great event and I am very thankful for the invitation to come out here and play. It's an interesting place - certainly not your run-of-the-mill tournament as I know it."

Despite leading, Lundberg was unhappy with his performance after stating earlier in the week he could shoot two or three under par on this course even when playing badly.

"I have got worse throughout the week," said the 34-year-old. "The first round I played really well, yesterday not that well but made a great score and then today I played not as good at all but with a few good shots and I manage to get it to four under - I don't know how.

"I know this course and I know what it's like. Sometimes you don't play well but you just have to try and not make mistakes because you know that you will get the birdie chances at some stage and can get the momentum back.

"I'm still leading, but 18 holes is still a long way to go. There have been low scores every day here and if someone who is just a couple of shots behind me goes out tomorrow and shoots eight under then there is nothing I can do about that. I just have to look after myself and hope it's good enough."