Olesen grabs 3-shot lead at Alfred Dunhill Links

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark took a three-shot lead at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Saturday after a 7-under 65 at St. Andrews in the third round.

Olesen started with a bogey on the first hole but then had eight birdies the rest of the way — including four on the last five holes — for a 17-under 199 total.

"I started off badly by hitting it in the water on the first but I got over it and played some good golf," Olesen said. "My putter started to get very hot out there and I holed a lot of great putts. So yeah, it was good fun."

Florian Fritsch of Germany was second after a 64 at Kingsbarns, with Benjamin Hebert of France another shot back after a 67 at Carnoustie. The players alternated between the three courses on the first three days, with the final round held at St. Andrews.

Fritsch had six birdies and an eagle in his bogey-free round. After starting on the 10th tee, he eagled the par-5 third hole and had three birdies on the next four.

"I hit a couple of good putts and ended up rolling in a few birdies and an eagle," the German said. "That was a little extra."

Jimmy Mullen, who held a share of the overnight lead, could only manage a 74 at Carnoustie to plummet down the leaderboard. ?

Ernie Els, who scuffed a putt from less than a foot out in the first round, continued his resurgence with a 66 at St. Andrews to sit in a tie for eighth, six shots back.

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