CRANS MONTANA, Switzerland, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Miguel Angel Jimenez maintained a 3-stroke lead after completing three rounds of the European Masters Saturday, firing a 3-under 68.
Jimenez protected his Masters lead despite assessing himself a penalty shot for picking up the ball on the 10th hole. He said he mistakenly believed he could lift and place the ball after it landed near a sprinkler head on the fairway.
"I thought, 'What are you doing?'" Jimenez said. "But I'm still feeling good."
As was the case Friday, the 46-year-old Spaniard finished the round three shots clear of Edoardo Molinari, who also shot a 68 to end at 14-under 199.
Seventeen-year-old Italian Matteo Manassero registered a 69 to grab a share of third place with Steve Webster (64) at 13-under 200. The rest of the field was at least six shots back at the Crans-sur-Sierre course at Crans Montana, Switzerland.
Noise from the gallery annoyed the threesome of Jimenez, Molinari and Manassero at several points Saturday. Molinari screamed at someone shooting a camera at the No. 7 tee, pleading with the photographer to wait until after he had finished his shot before clicking the shutter.
