Fasth storms up the leaderboard

Dubai: A birdie bonanza from Niclas Fasth saw the Swede poised two strokes behind the leaders at the close of play yesterday.

The 34-year-old from Gothenburg saved a stroke on seven holes on day three and in the process jetted up the leader board from 19th at the start of play yesterday to an overnight fourth with a 13-under 65.

With only one bogey blemishing his scorecard so far this tournament, Fasth can be forgiven for thinking his easy-looking golf is in with a chance of stalking the lead group of Ernie Els (17-under), surprise of the tournament, Englands Ross Fisher, and fellow countryman, Henrik Stenson, who both finished on 15-under.

His game plan is basic, but it is in that simplicity that Fasth has the best chance of holding his own against the likes of world No 1 Tiger Woods, another Swede, Peter Hanson, and India's Jyoti Randhawa.

"I will start out the same," he explained after coming off the course. "But if I'm in with a chance on the back nine I can usually go quite intense and give it a real go."

He makes it sound easy, but Fasth knows that he is in great form in Dubai.

Up and running

"I haven't been in trouble that often," he said. "I had a couple of good ups and downs and I'm very pleased with that. There's stability there too. I'm lacking in the wedge play, but the putting is slowly getting up and running. My game as a whole is pretty good."

His has been one of the most consistent in the competition so far but the England-based golfer knows that "pretty good" may not be good enough in a field boasting Desert Classic perennial and three-time winner Ernie Els at the top of the leader board, not to mention the irrepressible Tiger Woods.

"I just have to get out there and play really," he said. "Just hope the putts roll in and see how far I can push it.

"For a while I got hot but didn't finish off as well as I wanted. It's a good score and the game is there, but I'd like to be up there and we shall see."

Lost card

Fasth turned pro in 1993, but lost his card in 1996. He recovered from that upset after winning Q-school and making an immediate return to the circuit, but suffered another disappointment when he missed out on last year's Ryder Cup team after a poor points total. He did make a 2002 Ryder Cup debut and scored a valuable half-point to help the Europeans to victory.