Golf: Torrance takes over

SAM TORRANCE takes a one-shot lead into the final round of the Honda Open today after shooting a third-round 68 in Hamburg yesterday. The Scot's 11-under-par aggregate score of 205 put him a shot ahead of Johan Rystrom, of Sweden, and two clear of Ian Woosnam.

Jamie Spence, Bernhard Langer and the South African, Ernie Els, are four shots behind Torrance, who has won two European Tour events this year and the Scottish Championship. Victory here would enhance his chances of playing in a seventh successive Ryder Cup in September.

Persistent rain made conditions unpleasant but Torrance, who was suffering from a heavy cold, was not concerned. 'The rain helped a lot with my hay fever, which is the worst of my problems,' he said. He had only four birdies but no bogeys in his round. His playing partner, Bernhard Langer, could only shoot 72. 'The crowd were all for Bernhard and I had to concentrate,' Torrance said. 'So I was delighted I was playing with him.'

Rystrom, who began the day two shots ahead of Torrance, had a 71. It would have been better had he not four-putted on the eighth green from 20 feet for a double bogey six.

Woosnam made the greatest advance when, like Torrance, he shot 68. He moved from joint 18th to third, with a card that included five birdies and only one bogey.

HONDA OPEN (Hamburg): Third-round scores (GB or Irl unless stated): 205 S Torrance 68 69 68. 206 J Rystrom (Swe) 69 66 71. 207 I Woosnam 67 72 68. 209 E Els (SA) 66 73 70; B Langer (Ger) 69 68 72; J Spence 70 66 73. 210 S Lyle 68 72 70; P Broadhurst 71 68 71; R Rafferty 71 67 72; A Gillner (Swe) 70 64 76. 211 M Lanner (Swe) 71 72 68; R Claydon 70 72 69; R Drummond 75 67 69; S Grappasonni (It) 71 69 71; S Bennett 71 69 71; I Palmer (SA) 67 72 72; P McGinley 71 67 73; T Levet (Fr) 68 69 74. 212 D Clarke 72 71 69; C Williams 71 72 69; J Payne 74 65 73; J Robinson 70 68 74; M-A Jimenez (Sp) 69 69 74; G Hjertstedt (Swe) 68 68 76. 213 M McLean 72 71 70; O Karlsson (Swe) 78 65 70; D Hospital (Sp) 70 73 70; J Haeggman (Swe) 71 71 71; G Brand Jnr 70 70 73; J Rivero (Sp) 69 71 73; W Riley (Aus) 72 66 75; C Mason 69 68 76; G Evans 69 68 76. 214 M Krantz (Swe) 74 67 73; J- M Carriles (Sp) 72 70 72; C Cassells 69 71 74; A Oldcorn 73 68 73; A Hare 70 67 77; J McHenry 69 66 79. 215 D Feherty 69 74 72; E O'Connell 75 66 74; M Gates 73 68 74; J Robson 73 70 72; R Davis (Aus) 69 73 73; M-A Martin (Sp) 73 69 73; A Binaghi (It) 72 70 73.