McDowell takes early third round lead at European Open

By Tony Jimenez

ASH, England (Reuters) - A run of three birdies in four holes took Graeme McDowell to the top of the leaderboard midway through the European Open third round on Saturday.

McDowell, who began the day one stroke behind overnight leader Ross Fisher, birdied the fifth, seventh and eighth to be out in 34 and move to 14-under-par overall.

The big-hitting Fisher was three behind at one point despite regularly outdriving playing partner and fellow Briton McDowell.

Fisher started falteringly in winds gusting up to 50-kms with bogeys at the second and seventh before birdies at the eighth and ninth meant he reached the turn in 36 to move back to 13-under.

World number eight Sergio Garcia held third place on 10-under through nine holes.

Sharing fourth spot on nine-under were champion Colin Montgomerie (11 holes) and 48-year-old South African David Frost (10).

The breezy conditions meant scoring was difficult, with only two players having broken 70 midway through the round.

Spain's Ignacio Garrido fired a 67 for a six-under tally of 210 while British Open champion Padraig Harrington carded a 69 for 211.