Spaniard Lara takes advantage of Dredge's K Club collapse

STRAFFAN, Ireland, July 8 (Reuters) Britain's Bradley Dredge let slip a five-stroke advantage, allowing Spain's Jose Manuel Lara to grab the lead after the third round of the European Open today.

Dredge took command with three birdies in the first five holes as heavy rain fell at the K Club. But the Welshman struggled to cope with the deteriorating conditions and slid to joint seventh place after a three-over-par 75.

Lara compiled a five-under 67 for a nine-under total of 207, one ahead of Briton Anthony Wall, who bogeyed two of the last three holes for a 70.

Britain's Stephen Dodd, Darren Clarke, Jamie Spence and Simon Khan shared third place, a further stroke adrift.

Lara, five strokes behind overnight leader Dredge at the start of the day, is seeking his first tour win after three times finishing in second place.

Two years ago, when the tournament was last played over the Smurfit course, the 29-year-old Spaniard went into the final round one stroke behind the eventual winner Retief Goosen.

''I played really well but Goosen was too good for me, especially his putting,'' Lara told reporters.

''People say to me 'how have you not won yet?', well maybe tomorrow I could change that.

''But even though Goosen is not up there this time, I don't have a big lead and there are a lot of players who can win.'' Dredge said the wet conditions had set him back.

''The ball was screwing off my club all ways and I couldn't find a fairway,'' said the Welshman after finishing on 210.

''I'm still in with a chance but it's very much an outside one now.'' American Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman was four shots off the pace after battling against the inclement weather to shoot a 70.

Irishman Paul McGinley, who nearly flew home the night before because he thought he had missed the cut, ended a poor run of form with a joint best-of-the-day 67 which left him six strokes behind Lara.

REUTERS SY KP2312