Foster leads Spanish Open

Spain - England's Mark Foster, whose first and only European Tour win came seven years ago, carved out a three-stroke lead after the third round of the Spanish Open on Saturday.

Foster is on 12 under par after a third round 69 with Spaniards Alvaro Quiros and Carlos Del Moral and Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin sharing second place.

Despite Foster's dominant display, he was forced to share the headlines with Ryder Cup star Darren Clarke.

The Northern Irishman revealed he had flown back to Britain after the second round on Friday, believing he had missed the cut, only to return once he realised he would still be in contention.

"We then looked into getting a (private) jet to get me back here, but as it was the Bank Holiday weekend and they were all busy," the Ulsterman told www.europeantour.com.

"At 8.15pm though I got a call telling me to get to Oxford airport as soon as possible. It took off at 10.30pm, I got to Malaga at 1.55am and the hotel at 4.15am."

Clarke, who carded a third round 72, said he had less than an hour's sleep before getting up to prepare for his tee-off time.

Meanwhile, Foster said: "I was off to a slowish start, but stayed patient and gave myself a little reminder to keep going.

"Last time I had the lead was the British Masters and a couple of guys (Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter) played really well. Whatever happens happens, but I am in a good frame of mind. I was surprised how relaxed I was, but tomorrow is another day."