Pacesetting Castano would swap title for lost dog

By Tony Jimenez

LOCH LOMOND, Scotland (Reuters) - Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano snatched the Scottish Open lead with a dynamic seven-under-par 64 Saturday but said he would swap potential victory for the chance of finding his lost dog Petra.

The 28-year-old moved one shot ahead of German Martin Kaymer (66) and South African Retief Goosen (69) on 14-under 199 at the end of the third round.

Sharing fourth place on 202 were Briton Jamie Donaldson, who registered two birdie hat-tricks in his 65, and Dane Soren Kjeldsen (67).

Former European number one Lee Westwood was a further stroke adrift after a stunning nine-birdie 64 but it was Fernandez-Castano who was best placed for a morale-boosting victory ahead of next week's British Open at Turnberry.

However, asked by a reporter if he would rather find the family Shar-Pei or win the title, he replied: "Believe it or not I'm going to say, find the dog."

Fernandez-Castano said he was told about the lost canine by his pregnant wife Alicia.

"I got some bad news (from home) before my round and have to say I was thinking about something else than golf," he said. "Unfortunately my dog got lost two days ago and when I called my wife before the round she was really sad."

Asked if he was prepared to offer a reward for Petra's return, Fernandez-Castano replied: "Probably ... not tomorrow's cheque though, that's for sure. But anything to see my wife happy and smiling again."

RAINING BIRDIES

The weather was perfect for the third day running on the picturesque banks of Loch Lomond and it simply rained birdies throughout Saturday's round.

Westwood was out early and produced a sizzling run of nine birdies in 12 holes before cooling down over the closing stretch.

His close friend Darren Clarke carded two eagles on the front nine before late starter Fernandez-Castano opened with a hat-trick of birdies.

The Spaniard endured three successive second-place finishes in April but showed he was in the right mood to claim his first trophy of the season.

The player known as 'Gonzo' added another birdie at the ninth before making further inroads on par at the 11th, 13th and 15th.

Fernandez-Castano, who has four European Tour wins to his name, said Saturday's performance delighted him.