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Foster leads at Belfry after third round

22/09/2007

Mark Foster leads the British Masters by two shots at the end of the third round at the Belfry.

It could have been a lot better for the Englishman had he not suffered a double-bogey six at the final hole, however.

The 32-year-old headed to the 18th tee with a four-stroke lead but had a nightmare last hole. He hit his second shot into the lake and eventually did well to complete the hole by dropping only two strokes.

Foster finished the round on ten-under-par and has seven players, including Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, breathing down his neck on eight-under-par.

"It was a shame, but I'll reflect on it - it was a good day overall," said Foster, who is looking to win his second title on the European Tour.

"I was a bit dazed coming off the 18th, but the putt proved I had kept my focus and it gives me a good mental image.

"I take full responsibility. It was a three-iron shot, but I didn't want to hit it and hit a little wood instead."

Poulter had a tough start to his round by double-bogeying the sixth and the eight holes, but he came back well to birdie four holes on the back nine to put him in a position to challenge in the final round.

"If I can keep playing like that there's a chance for me," said Poulter, who hit a round of 70.

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie was on course to be one of the players on eight-under, but he finished two shots back after bogeys on the 16th and 18th holes.