Hansen is an affable man from Denmark who firsts made headlines three years ago at the Marriot English Open here at the Forest when he was Top 3 – and followed that progression with a win in the Irish Open. He was part of what made the inaugural Danish Open last year (and nearly won) but has sometimes not played to his full potential. What had been a good start by these two was ruined when the had a cumulative 16 on the 12th thowing away any thoughts of a late start. It was a hole and a pin position that would catch many more players out

Gary Wolstenholme was ‘chuffed’ to have made it through the cut in only his second invite to a Tour event in the past decade. He had managed his game as only he can and would have been more than pleased with his ‘bounce-back’ performance in rounds 1 and 2 – each time he made a bogey, the Leics No 1 responded very quickly with a birdie to keep him on-line for playing all four days.

This game plan continued until the 9th in this round when Gary made his first double bogey. He would another when he misjudged his approach to the 12th (as had a number of other played) and took another double, a 7.

A bad back would not have helped the British Amateur Champion in being at maximum power to cope with what was an ever lengthening golf course.

Past British Master Champion Garry Orr made progress with a three birdie 33, not the same form from Goosen who was all fives and fours. Paul Casey began his round ‘with a vengence’ – two opening threes and then added another four birdies in his opening 8 holes. The back nine was a bit of a different matter and Paul ended up with a 69. It would still advance the best placed British player at the Masters (itself) up the leaderboard.

There were significant moves by Darren Clarke (69) and even more by Ian Poulter (68) but neither would probably be good enough for these players to contend on Sunday – unless another 63 was on the ‘cards’.

What was happening at the top of the leaderboard had huge Warwickshire interest, as you can read in out separate editorial for Day 3 on ‘our’ player. Paul Broadhurst was playing with very good friend Barry Lane. When Lane had a birdie, Broadie responded and he eventually beat his friend by a shot, with a 66 to Lane’s 67.

Lane will be making his 500th appearance in a European Tour event next week but it doesn’t feel like it –

‘I was leading in Singapore and that was something like 200 events since I last won. But I suppose if you play 30 events a year or something, that is 300 after 10 years, but no, it doesn’t feel like 500.’

Lane did not make the mistake of others in hitting into the bank behind the 12th pin and spinning it back off the green (in into the water). He might well not have played because of a knee injury that has been with him for sometime but his longevity on the Tour has meant he knows the Forest as well as anyone – and it showed.

Lane and Broadhurst are in their mid 40’s. Both will be watching for any move by Edwardo Romero, looking to be the oldest winner the tour has ever had – whilst he waits for being able to play on the Seniors Tour this year. He could have been in the lead but for his two shot penalty on Friday – that was never on his mind as Romero shot a 71 for –10.

‘I have forgotten all about it. As I have said, it was my fault and I took the penalty and that was the end of it. I didn’t think about it at all today and won’t tomorrow because it is all in the past.’

Angel Cabrera is two shots back after a 70 and he will have all the power needed to cope with the conditions. The 36 hole leader Patrick Sjoland is on –9, losing a shot on the first through a little nerves. These players should be the main contenders but Ian Woosnam (-6), along with David Howell and Trevor Immelman who is paired with Paul Casey in what could be a wonderful pairing to watch. Monty goes off with another ‘young-gun’ Robert Jan-Derksen and despite all his troubles, monty knows how to play under par golf at the Forest having had 20 rounds under par in his last 30.

If you want to see players such as Retief Goosen, come early. Thongchai Jaidee is in the pairing after Goosen at 9.26 whilst in the latter groups is Michael Campbell, a previous winner at the course. It looks like good weather and a great finish with perhaps a Warwickshire winner at our Championship course – be there!