Westwood stays in the hunt

Westwood: locked in Order of Merit battle

Volvo Masters
Third round leaderboard
GB&Ire unless stated
-8 S Kjeldsen (Den)
-5 S Garcia (Spn)
-5 L Westwood
-4 A Wall
-3 M Kaymer (Ger)

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Lee Westwood's hopes of claiming the European Order of Merit title remain alive after he finished the third round of the rain-delayed Volvo Masters in a tie for second, three behind Soren Kjeldsen.

Westwood returned to Valderrama on Sunday morning to complete a one-under third round of 70 to move to five-under for the tournament.

The Worksop golfer's Order of Merit rivals, Robert Karlsson and Padraig Harrington, are both well down the field at five-over-par.

If Westwood overhauls Kjeldsen in the final round and takes victory, he would almost certainly finish the season as Europe's number one.

It was, however, Kjeldsen who made most headway early on Sunday.

The Dane rolled in a hat-trick of birdies from the 12th to complete a 69 and reach eight-under for the tournament.

He sits three ahead of Westwood and home favourite Sergio Garcia (70), with Englishman Anthony Wall (71) a stroke further back.

Pod, Karlsson struggle

Harrington's chances of a second Order of Merit in three years are all-but gone after a disappointing finish to his third round.

The Open and USPGA champion, who needs to finish first or second to have any chance, double-bogeyed the 16th and had to settle for a level-par 71.

"That was the killer," said the Irishman, who was in a bunker and then three-putted from 10 feet.

Karlsson, who came into the tournament leading the Order of Merit race, managed a one-over 71 and admitted Westwood is now in pole position.

"It's in Lee's hands now," said the Swede. "I've not holed enough putts."

With the forecast predicting that thunderstorms are heading for the Costa del Sol later on Sunday, it remains to be seen if the final round can be finished on schedule.