Slattery leads in Russian Open

England's Lee Slattery birdied the final hole at the Skolkova Golf Club on Saturday to take a

two-shot lead into the final round of the Russian Open.

After play had been delayed by 95 minutes in the morning due to heavy rain, Slattery, who had

been in second place overnight, carded a four under par 67 to move to 13 under.

Scotland's Craig Lee and Estanislao Goya of Argentina were tied for second place on 11 under,

with defending champion David Horsey a further stroke back.

Horsey is looking for back-to-back wins, having triumphed in Denmark last week.

Slattery made gains at the third and fifth holes to take a share of the lead at the turn. A

birdie at the tenth handed him the outright lead but he double-bogeyed the next to slip back

to ten under.

The 37-year-old recovered admirably, carding birdies at the 12th and 14th before adding

another at the last to finish the day with a healthy lead.

Slattery said he was looking forward to the final round in what is the first tournament

awarding points for next year's Ryder Cup.

"It's very similar to my last win actually, I had a two shot lead there on the final day.

"I remember losing the lead quite early, but it pushed me on to play well again so it's

similar, similar feelings, and I'm just going to go out and enjoy it tomorrow.

"It's the old cliché, take it one shot at a time -- that's what I'll be doing tomorrow and I'm

looking forward to it."

Lee carded five birdies on his way to adding a 66 to the rounds of 67 and 69 he shot on

Thursday and Friday respectively.

Goya fired four birdies as he posted a flawless 67, while Horsey mixed six birdies with a

bogey to revive his challenge.

Overnight leader Bradley Dredge of Wales slipped to nine under par after firing three birdies

and four bogeys in his one over par 72.
Source: AFP