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Hansen holds off Khan in French Open

30/06/2007

Denmark's Soren Hansen holds the lead in the French Open in Paris on seven-under with England's Simon Khan a shot further back in second.

Colin Montgomerie, with new caddie Craig Connolly by his side for the first time, and Germany's Martin Kaymer are tied for third position on four-under.

A host of dangerous names lurk at the front of the chasing pack however with Thomas Bjorn on three-under alongside David Lynn and Jeev Milkha Singh and Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter just about in contention still at one-under.

Hansen went round in a superb five-under 66 to move to the top of the tournament leaderboard with an eagle at the third followed up with birdies at four, six and seven.

The 33-year-old then rounded off his afternoon's work with a flourish as he drained a 30-foot birdie putt at the last to return to the clubhouse as the man to beat going into the final round.

Khan, whose solitary Tour victory came in the 2004 Welsh Open, admitted that he is in for a tough day tomorrow if he is to sneak ahead of the on-form Hansen.

"Soren's 66 was a great score today. We've both had an in and out season but he's a quality player and hopefully we can have a good game and fight it out," he said.

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