MOSCOW, July 27 (UPI) -- Michael Hoey shot a 65 Saturday and opened a 5-shot lead after three rounds of the Russian Open outside Moscow.
Hoey shot his best round of the tournament to go 14-under for the week and put some distance between himself and second-round leader Rikard Karlberg, who stumbled to an even-par 72 and finished the day at 9-under 207.
"It was one of those days where everything went my way for the most part," said Hoey. "I played really well and was swinging the club well, but I got a few breaks here and there that really helped the score."
Hoey's scorecard showed a bogey on the 11th hole but that was more than covered by six birdies and an eagle on the par-5 third hole.
Matthew Nixon shot a 68 and was tied with Karlberg in second.
James Kingston (68) and Alexandre Koleka (71) were tied for fourth at 8-under 208.
James Morrison was within three strokes of Hoey on the back nine but triple-bogeyed the 18th to tumble back to sixth place, tied with Mikko Korhonen (70) and JB Hansen (67).