Walker leaders seek a first title

GLENEAGLES, Scotland -- Fredrik Andersson Hed and Simon Wakefield, both seeking an overdue first European Tour victory, share the lead after three rounds of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

The two players, who between them have competed in 368 tournaments without a win, are nine under par with Scot Marc Warren one shot further back.

If Andersson Hed, 35, clinches the elusive win, it will result from a weekend charge through the field. He was not even sure he would play in the tournament after suffering back twinges on Tuesday and was in 33rd place after two rounds.

But a seven-under 66, including a 50-foot putt for his sixth birdie at the short 17th, shot him into a share of the lead.

"I wasn't sure I'd be able to play but flew home and got some great help from the physio guys on Tour," Andersson Hed said. "I didn't hit a single practice shot on Wednesday, just a few putts."

Wakefield, who had split the overnight lead with France's Thomas Levet, chipped in at the last to keep level with Anderson Hed.

Wakefield, who was runner-up to Ernie Els in China two years ago and third in May's Irish Open, had feared he would suffer another Saturday let-down.

He had admitted on Friday that he often loses concentration after making the cut but the 33-year-old recovered well from double bogeys on the fourth and fifth holes.

Levet is three shots off the lead after a disappointing round of 76.

Lee Westwood is best placed is the best placed of the four members of last year's European Ryder Cup team.

Westwood is joint fourth on seven under after a second successive 69. He double bogeyed on the short fourth but hit back with birdies at the sixth, eighth, ninth, 12th and 18th.

Colin Montgomerie is still on the fringe of contention at five under following a 71, and defending champion Paul Casey is one further back

Darren Clarke is one over after a nightmare finish of bogey six, double bogey five and double bogey seven. E-mail to a friend