Denmark’s Hansen leads European Open by two

? Soren Hansen of Denmark birdied four of the last five holes to shoot a 7-under 63 Saturday for a two-stroke lead in the third round of the European Open.

The 33-year-old Dane, who finished second at last week’s French Open, missed a 3-footer at the 13th and birdied from 10 and 15 feet at the 14th and 16th. At the 17th and 18th, both par 3s, he sank putts of 40 and 12 feet.

Hansen has a 10-under 200 total, two strokes ahead of Robert Rock, who shot 66 on Saturday.

Peter O’Malley, who also shot 63, was another stroke behind and tied for third with Peter Hanson (66), Gregory Havret (68) and Niclas Fasth (70).

Hansen won the Irish Open in 2002 but has not won since.

“I have been close but I just think it is getting harder to win tournaments as time goes on,” he said. “I have come off a terrible season but now I am playing good golf and putting myself in contention.”