Lowry and Westwood lose ground

Lee Westwood and Shane Lowry suffered big blows today to their hopes of being contenders for the Alstom French Open title in Paris this weekend.

While Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen continued to lead the way – he was three clear after an eight under par 63 and resumed with six straight pars – he would not have enjoyed seeing Westwood make a hat-trick of birdies from the 14th after starting at the 10th.