Harrington suffers last hole lapse
HONG KONG, (Reuters) -- Swede Christopher Hanell overshadowed Ireland's Padraig Harrington by taking a surprise one-shot lead after the third round of the Hong Kong Open.
The 30-year-old Hanell fired a five-under-par 65 to finish at eight-under 202 in the opening event of the 2004 European Tour season.
Harrington was one of several players to bogey the difficult par-four 18th, three-putting for a 67 to slip back into a share of second place with Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng.
"I just lost my concentration at the end," said the Irishman, who also three-putted for bogey at the 16th. "It was a long day and it went downhill."
Hanell, who regained his European Tour playing privileges at last month's qualifying school finals in Spain, was delighted his hard work was already beginning to pay off.
"I'm very happy," he said, after reeling off five birdies in a bogey-free round. "It feels great to be up on the leaderboard. Hopefully I will be able to continue like this and finish it off."
Defending champion Fredrik Jacobson returned a one-over-par 71 to finish in a group of four tied for fourth at six-under 206.
"It wasn't a good day," said the Swede. "I started bad and finished bad. But the race is still wide open and I still have a chance."
Level with Jacobson was Britain's Richard McEvoy, who began the day with a three-shot lead after leading the tournament for the first two rounds. He fell back with a 74.
"I just didn't get anything going today and I didn't make any putts," said the 24-year-old McEvoy, after making two of his five bogeys in the first two holes.
Six-times major winner Nick Faldo of England finished in a tie for 18th at two-under 208 after a mixed round of 67 that included six birdies and three bogeys.
"My short game has been horrendous this week and it has cost me," said the Englishman, who is seeking to break a six-year title drought.
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