Strange still in command

12 April 2012

Australian Scott Strange, a complete stranger to the vast majority of golf fans in Europe, remains in control of the Wales Open with a day to go at Celtic Manor.

Strange, whose best Tour finish on European soil before this week was 10th, has led since an opening 63 and after being four clear at halfway is now three ahead after a third-round 69.

Rookie Spaniard Alvaro Velasco, no household name himself at world number 305, lies second on 12 under following a 68, while a stroke further back are Indian Jeev Milkha Singh, Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and in-form Swede Robert Karlsson.

England's Nick Dougherty believes he is back on course to earn a Ryder Cup debut in September after he returned a 67 to move up to 10 under and joint sixth place.

While a third Tour victory is still a tall order he is delighted with how he is playing just a month after the death of his mother.

"I feel a lot better after these three days," he said.

"Things have been going on off the course with the loss in our family, but I'm optimistic again.

"I was starting to get worried about the state of my game, but I played awesome today and it's so long since I played that freely."