Ramsay could face two-stroke penalty

Scotland’s Richie Ramsay continued to battle for the Wales Open lead late into the night at Celtic Manor today – but was facing a possible two-stroke penalty.

After the start of the third round had been delayed for well over six hours before of heavy rain that flooded fairways and bunkers, Ramsay struggled to the turn in 38 and with five holes to play was one behind little-known Dane Jeppe Huldahl and former Ryder Cup Spaniard Ignacio Garrido.

However, European Tour chief referee John Paramor had been alerted to an incident on the eighth hole and was waiting to question the former US Amateur champion over whether he had improved his area of intended swing.

Placing of the ball was in operation because of the conditions and Ramsay had possibly broken the rules over pressing his foot down behind the position from where he was going to play his next shot.

Meanwhile, European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie, joint eighth overnight, had fallen all the way back to 31st on one-over-par with three to go.

It took only five holes for the 45-year-old to almost certainly wreck his chances of a first win in two years – and perhaps even a first top 10 finish in almost a year.

On the short third he came up short and rolled down the bank into the lake and at the 433-yard fifth he went from a fairway bunker into more water by the green.

American cup captain Corey Pavin, who had survived the cut with nothing to spare at two-over, was on the same mark coming to the end of his round.

Huldahl, who has never had a top 10 finish in 44 events on the circuit, shot a superb three-under 68.