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Cevaer catches Singh at European Open

  • Story Highlights
  • Christian Cevaer and Jeev Milkha Singh take three-shot lead at European Open
  • France's Cevaer catches Singh with birdie at final hole of the third round
  • Rory McIlroy, Alvaro Quiros and Sam Wood tied for second on six-under-par 210
  • Windy conditions at the London Club in Kent cause problems for players
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(CNN) -- Christian Cevaer and Jeev Milkha Singh will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the European Open in England on Sunday.

Christian Cevaer was all smiles after sinking a birdie putt at the final hole of his third round at the European Open.

Christian Cevaer was all smiles after sinking a birdie putt at the final hole of his third round at the European Open.

Cevaer sank a 12-foot birdie at the final hole to catch his Indian rival, who was also tied for the lead at the halfway stage.

The Frenchman was just the second player to break par at the 471-yard 18th in Saturday's third round as strong winds caused plenty of problems at the London Club in Kent.

Ranked 449 in the world and seeking his maiden European Tour victory, he carded two-under-par 70 for the second successive round, having opened with a 67.

"It's nice when you can enjoy a perfect hole like that," he said. "I noticed the pin position as I walked to the 10th, so I knew that you had to be on the left or long.

"I pulled out a rescue four, which works out as a three iron for me, and used the wind like that. It's a great feeling when those shots come off like that, perfect."

World No. 39 Singh dropped five shots on the first 11 holes, but recovered well with four birdies between 13 and 17 to card a 71.

"I just got aggressive," he said. "I took the gamble on the 14th hole -- it's three wood, they moved the tee up, very tempting. I went for it and I birdied it. After that, I made a good birdie putt on 15, and then I birdied 16, hit a great shot into 17, birdied that. I think a finish like that doesn't happen too often, but I'll take it."

The duo will be chased by a talented young trio over the final 18 holes, with Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, Alvaro Quiros of Spain and England's Sam Wood tied for second on six-under-par 210.

The 20-year-old McIlroy, third in the Race To Dubai standings, sank an eagle at the par-five fifth hole as he carded a 68, while 21-year-old Wood matched that score despite bogeying 16.

Quiros signed for a 69 after also dropping a shot at 16, one of three bogeys in a round balanced by six birdies.

Denmark's Soren Hansen shot 67 to lead a group of four players on 211, while France's Michael Lorenzo-Vera slumped from equal first to joint 13th on 213 after a woeful 77.

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