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Third-round leader Dredge aiming to clinch Irish Open title

17/05/2008

Welshman Bradley Dredge will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Irish Open at Adare Manor after carding a third-round 66.

Dredge, who was runner-up at the tournament last year, came home in 31 to finish on nine-under-par. The 34-year-old dropped a shot on the first hole, but managed to claw back five shots at the final nine holes.

"I knew I needed to make a few birdies but nothing was happening for neither Darren (Clarke) nor me," Dredge told Sky Sports. "We were putting quite poorly and I missed quite a few good chances early on, so I just had to stay in there.

"Previously I've played the back nine well so I knew I just had to stay in there and not make any silly mistakes. It's a tough course and I just had to keep myself in the tournament.

"It was a shame to lose last year but I seem to play the course quite well and see the lines well, particularly on the back nine, so hopefully I can just keep doing what I'm doing."

Englishman Richard Finch fired a third-round 65 to claim overall second place. While Lee Westwood carded a brilliant round of 64 to shoot up the leader-board and is now in third position on seven-under-par.

Darren Clarke could have just been one shot behind Westwood going into the fourth round, but the Irishman suffered a triple-bogey on the final hole which meant he ended on only three-under-par.