Gary out to be hit 'n' Swiss

Sep 7 2008 By Callum Robb

GARY ORR is shooting for his first win in eight years after firing a wonderful 67 on day three of the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.

The Scot birdied his opening three holes and two of the final three to finish on eightunder 208 as the weather turned nasty at Crans-sur-Sierre.

Helensburgh ace Orr starts the final round five shots behind Northern Ireland teenager Rory McIlroy who eagled the first on his way to a 66 and leads by four from a group of six players.

Orr said: "I got off to a flyer and that was great and to birdie 16 and roll that one it the last was a nice way to finish.

"That's my second 67 this week but today the wind dropped and the conditions were good."

Orr hasn't tasted victory since 2000 but arrived in Switzerland as one of the best performing Scots in recent weeks having finished in the top 10 in the recent SAS Masters and KLM Open.

He said: "If I can get off to similar start tomorrow you don't know what can happen.

"But it will all depend on how far ahead Rory is. He's a good player but will also have the pressure of trying to win for a first time."

McIlroy will become the third youngest winner in Europe behind South African Dale Hales and Spanish great Seve Ballesteros if he stays out in front.

The 19-year old Belfast player kick-started his round with an eagle then shook off Australian rival and defending champion Brett Rumford with three birdies over his outward half.

McIlroy's progress was checked by three bogeys at the start of his back nine before he regrouped to birdied three of the last six holes.

He said: "This is fantastic as it's the first time I have been in this situation before on the Tour.

"I shot a 63 on Thursday and while that was good this 66 is more satisfying as I was in the last group playing alongside Brett who's won three European Tour events. I'm delighted to hold my own out there.

"It would be fantastic if I can go on to win because there have been some fabulous champions here and I would love to get my name on that trophy."

His eagle on the 543-yard first needed only a drive and nine-iron in the thin air and McIlroy said: "That settled my nerves."

Dunblane's Craig Lee, the only remaining Scot in the field, carded a 74 for 216.

200 - R McIlroy 66.

204 - J Abbate (Arg) 69, C Cevaer (Fra) 65, R Dinwiddie 64, A Canizares (Spa) 69, J Clement (Swi) 67, J-F Lucquin (Fra) 69.

205 - G Orr 67, M-A Jimenez (Spa) 68, R Echenique (Arg) 66, E Canonica (Ita) 68, J Zapata (Arg) 67.

206 - M Foster 68, R McGowan 66, B Lane 65.

207 -BRumford (Aus) 73, M Ilonen (Fin) 70, D Griffiths 68, S Struver (Ger) 66, C Rodiles (Spa) 70, R Sterne (Rsa) 68, T Aiken (Rsa) 65.

Other Scot: 216 - C Lee 74.