Lane breaks Belfry course record to lead by 2

By Norman Dabell

Sutton Coldfield, England - Britain's Barry Lane broke the newly-designed Belfry course record with a spectacular seven-under-par 65 on Saturday, to lead the Benson and Hedges International by two strokes.

The 41-year-old Englishman fired his record score with a stunning eagle two at the ninth in the third round, to surge to 10-under-par 206, adding six birdies to lead fellow Briton Greg Owen by two shots.

Argentine Angel Cabrera and Lane's 1993 Ryder Cup colleague and fellow Briton Peter Baker are a further stroke back.

Lane, on the losing side nine years ago at the original Belfry layout, has not been in the winner's enclosure since he picked up the biggest cheque of his career, $1-million for taking the Andersen Consulting Matchplay title in 1995.

But with the relaxed attitude he adopted from the middle of last season, Lane is convinced he can win his fifth European Tour title eight years after his last at the Balearic Open.

His eight-iron from 164 metres out at the ninth directly into the hole could prove the lucky shot to help him to the $270,000 first prize.

"It looked good in the air but I suppose it was a bit lucky to pitch straight into the hole," said Lane modestly.

"But it's not unusual for me. I've had eight holes-in-one in my career. It helped me enjoy the round even more.

"Last year I made the decision to go out and enjoy things when I had only earned 1,500 pounds ($2,194) and was feeling pretty miserable.

"My wife reminded me how much I love the game and by going out and enjoying myself again on the course, the game changed and I won nearly £300 000 pounds and finished well up on the order of merit (41st).

"I'd got myself in a rut mentally after winning the Andersen Consulting and everything became a bit of a struggle.

"I was missing greens and thinking I was going to make bogey. So I changed things around and told myself I was going to get up and down instead.

"For the final round I'll do what I did today - really enjoy myself. I know I'm going to be nervous but I'm really looking forward to it."

New Zealander Michael Campbell triple-bogeyed the 18th by going into water and then three-putting, but lies in fifth place, four off the pace.

Colin Montgomerie, embroiled in a row after poaching fellow Ryder Cup player Phillip Price's caddie Andy Prodger, had a stumbling 73 to lose the lead he had shared with Owen and South African Roger Wessels.

He has fallen back into a group, which includes Wessels, that stands five adrift of the leader.

"I've won from five behind," said Montgomerie, who said on Friday he wanted to win at the September Ryder Cup venue. "I can't play any worse tomorrow - I hope."