Fabulous Fernandez Castano leads on the Loch
Posted on 11 July 2009.

Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño produced one of the best rounds of his life to grab a one shot lead after the third round of the The Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond.

But much though he wants to win the €579,340 first prize, there is something he wants more - his dog Petra to be found on the Costa del Sol.

The three year old shar pei has been lost since Thursday night after being frightened by fireworks outside his mother-in-law's home in Marbella.

Asked if he would rather take his fifth European Tour title or be told the dog had been found, the 28 year old said: "Believe it or not, I am going to say find the dog - anything to see my wife (who is pregnant with the couple’s first child) happy."

He is prepared to offer a reward, but hastened to add: "Not tomorrow's cheque, that's too much for sure!"

The Spaniard's seven under par 64 took him to 14 under par 199 for the week, one shot ahead of overnight leader Retief Goosen of South Africa and Germany's Martin Kaymer.

About to become a father for the first time in eight weeks' time, the Madrid golfer "only" equalled the lowest round of his European Tour career.

But the four time European Tour winner stated: "That's the best ever - I've never struck the ball like that. Unfortunately my putting was not as good, but after a 64 I am not going to complain.

"It's funny. On the range I couldn't hit a shot. I hooked one five iron 80 yards left of my target but once I got on the course I was fine. I have said many times that golf can be a funny game and I guess that proved it once again."

Kaymer is looking for back-to-back wins following his Open de France ALSTOM play-off success over Lee Westwood last Sunday - and he did not drop a stroke either in a 66.

“If you win the previous week it obviously gives you confidence and momentum and motivation to go and do it again,” said the German. “I also really love this golf course so everything feels pretty good right now.”

Goosen had been two in front of Adam Scott overnight, but after a smooth start the two time US Open Champion bogeyed the tenth and 13th, but made his dinner taste a little sweeter with a fine birdie two at the testing 215 yard 17th.

“I wouldn’t say I was hitting the ball well great all week but I have been putting well,” he said. “I played well on the front nine today but the back nine was a little bit up and down so it was nice to have a good finish. The last four holes are tough into the wind and I’m sure they’ll be tough tomorrow too.

A 69 was still better than Scott managed, however. The Australian, again watched by tennis star Ana Ivanovic, mixed five birdies with five bogeys and a double bogey at the 415 yard 12th on his way to a 73.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson moved up to joint fourth with Dane Søren Kjeldsen on 11 under par, three behind, after a 65 - and is in pole position to claim the one Open Championship spot on offer.

Donaldson's only top ten finish this season was a fourth in Portugal over two months ago, but the 33 year old has stayed positive waiting for the next chance to come along.

"What are you going to do - sulk like a baby or get on with it?" said the former amateur star, who partnered Luke Donald and Paul Casey to help Britain and Ireland to second place in the 2000 world team championship.

While they became instant stars on turning professional, Donaldson had serious back problems and lost his European Tour card three years ago before regaining it through the Challenge Tour circuit.

"There's loads at stake, but I'm trying not to think about anything. One shot at a time, stay in the present."

Fernandez-Castaño did not have the only 64 of the day. Lee Westwood produced the other to continue his brilliant recovery from a chest infection, which almost forced him out on Thursday morning. Westwood moved up to share sixth with Marcus Fraser, four shots behind the Spaniard.