Golf: Partners level after late dramas

Playing partners Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter produced a dramatic finale to the third round of the Scandinavian Masters yesterday, leaving the two Britons sharing a one-shot lead.

Poulter's birdie on the 17th gave him the edge over Westwood, but the defending champion then finally sank a putt of significance, his 15-footer also taking him to 13-under 203.

Overnight leader Westwood continued his form resurgence with a three-under 69, while Poulter caught him with a 68. They are a stroke ahead of Colin Montgomerie and local favourite Peter Hedblom.

The 1999 British Open Champion, Paul Lawrie, is a further stroke back after the day's best round - a 65 - while Darren Clarke is three shots off the lead.

New Zealanders Michael Campbell, Stephen Scahill and Greg Turner were on 209, 212 and 218 respectively.

* Simon Owen holds a two-shot lead going into the final round of the European Seniors Tour's De Vere Hotels Classic at Slaley Hall in England.

The 50-year-old New Zealander, who finished second behind Jack Nicklaus at the 1978 British Open, added a two-under 70 to his opening 65 to remain poised for his first Tour victory.

Fellow New Zealander Barry Vivian was eight shots off the pace after rounds of 73 and 70.

Owen goes into the final 18 holes on nine-under 135, two shots ahead of Jerry Bruner, of the United States.

Bruner, 54, is one ahead of England's Denis Durnian and Graham Burroughs, Australia's Trevor Downing and Noel Ratcliffe, and Japan's Seiji Ebihara.

* New Zealand saved their best until last to earn a face-saving win on the final day of the Four Nations amateur teams championships in Toronto.

They comprehensively beat Japan 6 1/2-2 1/2 to finish third and leave the Asian nation with the wooden spoon.

After earlier losing to eventual champions Canada and titleholders Australia, New Zealand got their act together yesterday, emerging from the morning singles with a handy advantage after earning 2 1/2 of the possible three points.

Sam Hunt and Eddie Lee combined for a narrow win, as did Ben Gallie and Glyn Delany, while Tim Wilkinson and Gareth Paddison halved their match.

New Zealand stretched their lead after the singles, following wins to Wilkinson, Hunt, Lee and Paddison.

Canada beat Australia 6 1/2-2 1/2 to win the event.

- AGENCIES