Kaymer, Sandelin share third round lead at Dunhilll Links

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Oct. 4, 2008

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) -- Martin Kaymer and Jarmo Sandelin shared the third-round lead Saturday after another rough day at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

With strong wind and occasional rain again affecting play, Kaymer shot a 1-over 73 at the 7,412-yard Carnoustie course to take the lead at 6-under 210. Sandelin later caught him with a 72.

"This was the toughest day on the toughest course and it was the worst weather this week," the 23-year-old Kaymer said. "You have to accept some bunkers and some bogeys."

Kaymer, who almost made Europe's Ryder Cup team this year after two wins, birdied the 13th and 14th holes.

Magnus Carlsson (73) was a stroke behind the leaders, and British Open and PGA Championship champion Padraig Harrington (74) trailed by another stroke. Harrington will be one of the favorites to win the title for the third time in six years when the final round is played Sunday on The Old Course at St. Andrews.

"I wouldn't see myself as favorite," Harrington said. "I'm not 100 percent confident about how I'm playing."

Thongchai Jaidee (72) and overnight leader Markus Brier (76) were tied with Harrington.

Five players were another shot behind, including Robert Karlsson (76) and Ross Fisher (73), who shared the lead until dropping three shots over the last four holes at Carnoustie.

Both Ernie Els (76) and 2005 champion Colin Montgomerie (78) missed the cut. For Els, it was his worst finish at the Dunhill Links tournament.

The leading six and 10 of the top 11 played at Carnoustie on Saturday. Others played at The Old Course and Kingsbarns.

The first six holes into the wind claimed several victims, including Lee Westwood (76), who bogeyed the first four holes and double-bogeyed the sixth before three late birdies.

Sandelin, a Ryder Cup player in 1999, has five wins in his career but none since 2002.

"It is a long time ago that I was in the leading group on the last day," Sandelin said. "These were the toughest conditions I have ever played Carnoustie in. To shoot level par makes me very happy because standing on the 10th tee I thought 2 over would be a good finish."

Harrington bogeyed four of the first six but made birdies at the 12th and 15th.

"I hit a drive about 195 yards on one hole and had three three putts in the first six," Harrington said. "In these conditions, you have to play sensible shots all the time. It's about hitting it in the right place. I got caught once or twice going for pins."

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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