Date: June 03, 2007
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Zions primed to pounce

Australian Matthew Zions remains in contention with a round to play at the the Celtic Manor Wales Open, but the pack is after hometown hero Bradley Dredge and German Martin Kaymer. Welshman Dredge and Kaymer, from Germany, are both at 10-under and lead the tournament with a round to play. Zions is the best placed Australian at six-under after a round of 68 on day three. Dredge fired a third round 65, as did Kaymer, to stay a stroke clear of South African Richard Sterne (64) and Mads Vibe-Hastrup of Denmark (68). A group of four players – including Dane Soren Kjeldsen (64) – are a further shot back ahead of the final 18 holes. Thirty-three-year-old Dredge will carry the hopes of the nation into the final round. He has won twice on the European Tour and partnered Stephen Dodd to victory in the World Cup of Golf in 2005, but Dredge is desperate to claim a trophy that means so much in his homeland. He won&apost get it easy, however, with 12 players within three shots of the leading pair. “The support has been great and it is nice to have the fans round behind me and I&aposm sure they&aposll turn out in force tomorrow and get right behind me,” Dredge said shortly after signing his card. “You always want to win your national title. I am going out tomorrow and I will be trying my very best I really want to win this.” Zions will be looking to find the touch that saw him open the event with a first round of 66. He, along with compatriot Brett Rumford (72), remain in the hunt. Rumford was among the favourites after two rounds of play before his disappointing 72 saw him drop six shots off the pace. David Branson (70) and Marcus Fraser (69) are the only other Australians under-par, both at one-under the card.