Golf: Italy's Molinari takes Dunlop Phoenix golf lead
Posted: 21 November 2009 1654 hrs

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MIYAZAKI, Japan : Edoardo Molinari of Italy hit a two-under-par 69 to snatch the lead after the third round in the Dunlop Phoenix men's golf tournament on Saturday.

Starting the day one stroke off the pace, Molinari sank three birdies on the front nine to take the lead before adding one birdie and two bogeys on the back nine for a three-round-total of eight under par 205.

For the 28-year-old Molinari, the top money earner on the European challenge tour this season, it was his first appearance in the 200-million yen (2.2-million-dollar) event.

Robert Karlsson, who became the first Swede to be the top money earner on the European tour last season, shared second place with overnight leader Kenichi Kuboya of Japan on 206.

Karlsson carded five birdies against two bogeys for a 68, while Kuboya sank an eagle on the final hole to add to his two birdies, two bogeys and one double bogey for an even 71.

Shane Lowry of Ireland, who won the Irish Open as an amateur in May, hit a 69 to be tied at 12th place with Steven Conran of Australia and three other Japanese golfers on 210.

Three-time major winner Vijay Singh of Fiji had three birdies against two bogeys for a 20th-place tie on 212 with 10 other players, including New Zealand's David Smail and Eddie Lee, American Han Lee and Japan's Ryo Ishikawa.

- AFP/vm