England’s Simon Khan and Spaniard Jose Manuel Lara were tied for the lead after four holes of the final round in the Smurfit Kappa European Open at the K Club today.
Lara took a one-stroke advantage into the day but missed a three-foot par putt on the short second in the windy conditions.
He was joined at eight under by Khan and Londoner Anthony Wall, who both birdied the long third – but Wall pitched into a bunker on the next and double-bogeyed.
Welshman Stephen Dodd was in third place on seven under, while Swede Robert Karlsson set the clubhouse target with a magnificent 67 for four under.
Having begun the day 43rd, Karlsson even had an outside chance of winning - with conditions getting no easier.
IRISH PLAYERS: Clarke -6. McGinley -4. Harrington -1. Browne E. McDowell +1. McGrane +2. Higgins +8. Thornton +15.