Colin Montgomerie moved into a strong position on the third day of the weather-affected Senior Open Championship, sharing top spot alongside American Marco Dawson on 10 under at Sunningdale Golf Club.
The Scot finished off his rain-delayed second round on Saturday morning with a second successive 67 before then heading back out for his third round, where he reached the turn in four under par before play was suspended just before 2100 due to fading light.
Montgomerie made a flying start to his third round with consecutive birdies in his opening three holes - the first of which was almost an eagle, only for the 52-year-old's chip from the bunker to lip out of the hole - and then he added a fourth birdie on the par-four ninth.
That left Montgomerie on 10 under for the tournament, level with Dawson who was two under for his third round having also played nine holes.
Montgomerie, who is chasing his fourth senior major championship but first on British soil, said on www.europeantour.com: "I was four under for the front nine and I started off well, birdie, birdie, birdie and kept it going, so I look forward to tomorrow. It was exactly what I wanted."
Ireland's Philip Walton and American Fred Couples are two shots further back in joint third place. Walton is on course for a memorable third round after playing the first 17 holes in six under, while Couples was two under after 11 when play was halted.
Defending champion Bernhard Langer and Miguel Angel Jimenez are among four players on seven under.
Of those who managed to complete their third rounds, former US Ryder Cup captain and eight-time major winner Tom Watson is the best-placed on five under after a 66.
Play is scheduled to resume at 0800 on Sunday, with the fourth round set to start at around 1130.
Source: PA
