Jacquelin takes over top spot in India

Delhi, India (Sports Network) - Raphael Jacquelin managed an even-par 72 in windy conditions Saturday to move into the lead after three rounds of the Indian Masters.

Jacquelin, who trailed by two entering the round, completed 54 holes at six- under-par 210.

Second-round leader Damien McGrane struggled to a three-over 75 to slide into a share of second place at five-under-par 211. He was joined there by Graeme McDowell (73) and Jose Manuel Lara (71).

Arjun Atwal and S.S.P. Chowrasia are one stroke further back at minus-four.

During an up-and-down round, four different players owned at least a share of the lead. Jacquelin did not take over the top spot by himself until an eagle on the par-five 14th at Delhi Golf Club.

Jacquelin opened with four straight pars. A birdie on the fifth moved him to minus-seven and when McGrane bogeyed the same hole, the duo shared the lead.

The 33-year-old Jacquelin parred four straight from the sixth. He was in the lead momentarily during that stretch as McGrane bogeyed the sixth, before making birdie at No. 8.

Jacquelin stumbled to back-to-back bogeys from the 10th to fall to minus-five, where he was two behind McGrane.

McGrane, the overnight leader, bogeyed 11 and 12 to drop to minus-five and all of sudden McDowell was alone in the lead.

McDowell ran off seven straight pars to start his round. He birdied the eighth, but gave that shot back with a bogey on No. 11. He stood at minus-six at that point and was alone in the lead before faltering to a bogey on 13.

Jacquelin regained the lead as he converted a 15-foot eagle putt on the 14th. Through three rounds, he has played that hole at minus-five.

The Frenchman parred 15 and 16, but dropped a shot on the 17th. That dropped Jacquelin into a share of the lead with McGrane at six-under. Jacquelin parred the last to end there.

"It is always good to be on top of the leaderboard so I am satisfied for sure," said Jacquelin, who has won twice on the European Tour. "I missed some short putts on the back nine so that was a little disappointing.

"The way I hit the ball on the front nine, I should have made a few more birdies. I didn't hole anything. The course was playing tricky and hard."

McGrane birdied the 14th for the second straight round, then stumbled to a bogey at the 16th to slip back to five-under. He parred the last two to end one back.

"I struggled in the wind conditions. I found it to be quite difficult today," McGrane admitted. "The putting was a little more difficult as the greens were faster and drier. All in all it was a tough day on the course."

McDowell fell two back with his bogey on 13, but closed with five consecutive pars to finish in a share of second at minus-five.

Lara remained near the lead the entire round, but never made a move as he carded 17 pars and a lone birdie. That was the only bogey-free round of the day.

Atwal was even-par through nine holes with two birdies and a double-bogey on the par-three seventh. After birdies on 10 and 11, he stood at minus-six and briefly was tied for the lead as he parred three in a row from the 12th. However, bogeys on 15 and 16 dropped him back to minus-four.

Ross McGowan posted a two-under 70 Saturday to move into a share of seventh at three-under-par 213. He was joined there by Maarten Lafeber (73) and Hendrik Buhrmann (75).

Ernie Els continued to climb back into contention after an opening-round 75. He fired a three-under 69, the lone round in the 60s Saturday, to get back to minus-two. He is tied for 10th with five other players including Thomas Bjorn.