"McGrane closes in on leaders after super 64"

Sunday July 31st 2005

PHIL CASEY

DAMIEN McGRANE shot a 64 to lie fourth on 15 under going into today's final round of the Scandinavian Masters in Stockholm. He is three shots behind joint leaders Barry Lane and Bradley Dredge. Swede Henrik Stenson and Australian Mark Hensby carded rounds of 64 to share third place on 16 under, one shot ahead of McGrane.

After storming to the turn in 30 with four birdies and an eagle in the space of six holes, "a 59 did enter my mind, everything was possible out there at one point but it just seemed to fizzle out," said 34-year-old McGrane from Meath, whose approach from 107 yards spun back into the hole for his eagle on the eighth.

"I didn't make birdie on nine or 10, which are two good chances, and it was back to the normal grind, but there was a glimmer of hope."

McGrane has never finished higher than 101st on the Order of Merit but is currently 56th and secured his card for next season by finishing sixth in the European Open at the K Club.

"I've been happy enough this season and had a few reasonable results," he added. "I keep trying to improve every year and it's good to have my card sorted. It's something that has to be gone through and I'm pleased with the way things are going."

Adam Scott believes a first sub-60 round on the European Tour could be on the cards. The world number seven feels he needs to shoot 63 or better today to have a chance of regaining the title he won in 2003 at Kungsangen. And he thinks the magical 60 barrier could be broken on a par-71 course shortened by 386 yards after bad weather earlier in the week.

"Something in the 50s is possible for sure," said Scott after a third-round 65 left him five shots behind the leaders on 13 under par.

"You can have a go at some of the short par-fours and maybe get lucky. I've hit a three-wood on to the 15th the last two days and had a few eagle putts but just not made them. I'm playing well enough but my putting leaves a lot to be desired."

Dredge carded a 66 to finish 18 under par, narrowly missing a birdie putt on the last which could prove significant if the forecast thunderstorms severely disrupt the final day's play.

"We're due for some storms so I was really trying to hole that putt to get ahead of Barry," said the 32-year-old Welshman, who led by two going into the final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship last week before fading to fifth.

"I was struggling a bit off the tee today but managed to keep myself competitive by making a few nice putts for par and took my chances when I got them.

"I'm trying to be very aggressive and go for all the flags and not worry about the missed shots. You have to make as many birdies as you can round here and a 58 or 59 is definitely possible."

Lane had missed the cut in his previous four events since retiring from Irish Open after just one hole of his second round due to a knee injury.

But the 45-year-old carded a 65 to wipe out Dredge's one-shot overnight lead and remain on course for a sixth victory in 533 tour events.

After 10 years without a win, Lane won the British Masters last season and should have won the Portuguese Open in March, only to run up an amazing nine on the 72nd hole.

"It's nice to get out there and still be able to compete against all the youngsters, and enjoy it," said the former Ryder Cup player, who credits his Swedish wife Camilla with helping to kick-start his career.

"I had a bit of a grumpy period but I'm back enjoying it now. I was grumpy because I was not playing well enough and not practising hard enough. I thought it was just going to happen. I've worked harder the last two weeks than I did in the first 20 years I was playing."