Straffan, Ireland ? Thomas Bjorn shot a 3-under 69 Saturday to open a four-stroke lead after three rounds of the European Open.

Bjorn is at 8 under for the tournament, ahead of France’s Raphael Jacquelin and England’s Jonathan Lomas. Jacquelin birdied the 16th and 17th and eagled the last hole for a 70, while Lomas recorded a 72 to share second.

U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell recorded a 1-under 71 and is nine strokes back.

Wales’ Jamie Donaldson, who shared the overnight lead with Bjorn, shot an 82 to drop into a share of 46th place.

“He didn’t do that many things wrong and shot in the 80s,” Bjorn said. “On this golf course, if you get off to the wrong start, it becomes very difficult.

“I had to go out and find a solid game, and it certainly was solid today. It was as good as you want to play in these conditions. I don’t think you can expect more than I achieved today. I’m pleased with that.”

Jacquelin’s finish began at the long 16th, where he hit his second into a bunker, but still got up and down. A 9-iron to 10 feet set up a birdie at 17, and he hit a 6-iron second shot to 12 feet and holed it at the downwind, par-5 last.

“We have 18 holes to go, but I have a chance, no doubt about it,” Jacquelin said.