Golf: Fisher's lead in Irish Open cut to one

Ross Fisher of England will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Irish Open after shooting a par 71.

Fisher built a five-shot lead after opening his third round with four birdies in his first seven holes.

However, he carded a double bogey six at the par-4 8th hole when he put his approach to the green into water, and then dropped two more shots late in his round to drop back to 12 under.

That gave renewed hope to his playing partner Francesco Molinari, who at one stage was six strokes off the lead.

But after a 69, the Italian found himself just one shot behind Fisher.

A stroke further back in third place was Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, who carded a 3-under 68 to reach 10 under.

Fisher had the consolation of knowing that despite playing his last 11 holes in 4 over, he had not played himself out of contention.

"I am a little bit disappointed," he said. "And I hadn't realised how far I was ahead at the start of the back nine. I certainly didn't realise I was six ahead.

"But I am still leading, I have got a one-shot lead and I am still the man to catch. But if I am going to win I am going to have play more like Friday when I shot 61."

Molinari, seventh in the qualifying table that will provide Europe with nine Ryder Cup players in October, knows that a victory will guarantee he makes his debut against America.

But he does not just fear that Fisher will recapture the form which saw shoot 61 in the second round.

"Obviously I am in a good position," said Molinari. "But I think quite a few very good players are within very few shots of the lead so its going to be an interesting Sunday. And if the winds gets up its going to be tough."

Australia's Richard Green and Padraig Harrington, who both shot 69s, share fourth place and the Irishman is convinced he can repeat his 2007 Irish Open victory achieved at Adare Manor in Limerick.

"I am happy still to be in the tournament, and to have actually seen the lead cut down," Harrington said after driving into water at his final hole and sinking a 35-foot putt to save par. "If I play well and get in a good position, I thinks its possible to catch anyone out there."