Blow for Russell

RAYMOND Russell's hopes of a first major title in 14 years suffered a huge blow in the third round of the Allianz Tour's £45,000 French International at Golf d'Hossegor.

The Prestonpans pro, who won the European Tour's Cannes Open back in 1996, spilled five shots on his closing three holes in a level-par 71 and dropped five strokes off the pace with a seven-under 206.

Russell, joint fourth in the 1998 Open, had been sharing the lead after covering 15 holes in five-under. But bogeys at 16 and 17, and a crippling triple-bogey seven on the last, plunged the Scot back into a tie for tenth.

Englishman Matthew Baldwin and France's Adrien Bernadet lead the way with a round to go on 12-under 201s.

Perth rookie Gavin Dear, runner-up on the Alps Tour last month, birdied two of his last three holes in a one-under 70 and sits in a share of 26th with a three-under 210.

SCOTLAND'S golfers were trounced 21-7 by their South African hosts in an international test match at Leopard Creek.

The Scots, who are spending ten days in South Africa on a winter training programme, were always facing an uphill struggle after falling 9-4 behind during the first day of play. The hosts, with a side boasting seven of the leading ten players from the South African rankings, increased their lead in the second day foursomes and won the session 4-1 to leave them needing just one point from nine singles ties to clinch victory.

Steven McEwan beat Tyrone Ryan 4 and 3 while Glenn Campbell gained a half against Jared Harvey but the South Africans picked up a further seven points to complete the rout.