Johansson leads in Russia, nearing first win in 10 years

Golf Betting Lines

08/04/2007 - Moscow, Russia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Per-Ulrik Johansson shot a five-under 67 Saturday and will carry a four-shot lead into the final round at the Russian Open Golf Championship, looking for his first win in 10 years.

Johansson was at 18-under 198, and the tournament was back on schedule following two days of bad weather and suspensions.

Robert-Jan Derksen fired a seven-under 65 and was alone in second place at 14- under 202, four shots back of the leader.

Alan McLean had a 67 and stood third at 12-under 204, while Adam Gee (68) and Gary Murphy (70) were another stroke further back at 205.

They were all looking up at Johansson, who has been conjuring memories of past glory with his good play at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club.

The 40-year-old Swede had five wins on the European Tour in the 1990s, the last one coming 10 years ago to the month in August 1997.

He was also a two-time Ryder Cup player.

"I have a bit of a routine from the past with my successes, so hopefully that will pay off tomorrow," said Johansson.

On Saturday -- after the second round was completed in the morning -- Johansson posted an eagle and five birdies in a nearly-flawless third round.

The only blemish to his card came on a double-bogey at the 18th hole (his ninth) where he hit into the water.

"Except for that hole, I played pretty much the way I did yesterday," said Johansson, who had a stunning 62 in the second round. "I came back really well with a birdie on the first and an eagle on the second, so I made up for it."

Derksen emerged as the biggest threat to Johansson's feel-good story, collecting seven birdies in a spotless round to pull within four shots. The 33-year-old Dutchman is seeking his third European Tour win.

"I won in 2003 and then in 2005 and I said to myself I definitely have to win in 2007 to keep the run going," said Derksen. "All my friends were asking me which week it would be."

Could be this week, although not if Johansson keeps playing like it's still the nineties.

"I am very pleased with today but it is going to be a tough day tomorrow," said the Swede. "There are still a lot of guys there right behind me so I have to keep playing my game. I know it is a cliche, but it is the only way to go in this game."

Earthilnk Golf Betting News

<< Colts drop Simon
Terre Haute, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Indianapolis Colts ended their first week of training camp by cutting veteran defensive tackle Corey Simon on Saturday. Simon, the No. 6 overall selection in the 2000 NFL Draft by the Philade

<< Canadian Carpentier wins Busch pole in Montreal
Montreal, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Local hero Patrick Carpentier captured the pole for Saturday afternoon's NAPA Auto Parts 200 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada. The No.22 Armando Fitz Dodge circled the 2.710-m

<< A-Rod youngest to 500 home runs
Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez became the youngest player to reach the 500-home run plateau, belting a three- run home run in the first inning of Saturday's game against Kansas City. Rodriguez,

<< Radwanska, Dushevina advance at busy Nordic Light Open
Stockholm, Sweden (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Second-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland and eighth-seeded Russian Vera Dushevina each advanced to the final at the Nordic Light Open. Radwanska needed to win a pair of matches after rain halted

<< Ochoa leads by six at St. Andrews
St. Andrews, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Lorena Ochoa kept her foot on the pedal and her game in drive while a field of challengers threw theirs into reverse. The Mexican star took a big step towards winning her first major champion

Ferguson leads Rangers over Inverness >>
Inverness, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Barry Ferguson netted two goals to lead Rangers over Inverness, 3-0, at Caledonian Stadium on Saturday in the Scottish Premier League opener. Nacho Novo also scored for Rangers, which are hop

Tigers place Miller on DL, recall Rodney >>
Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Tigers placed rookie left-handed pitcher Andrew Miller on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a left hamstring strain. The team recalled right-hander Fernando Rodney from Triple-A Toledo

D-backs claim Kennedy off waivers from A's >>
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Arizona Diamondbacks continued to use the waiver wire to add to their roster as the club claimed pitcher Joe Kennedy off waivers from the Oakland Athletics on Saturday. On Friday, Arizona claimed i

Thomas belts two homers as Jays down Rangers >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Frank Thomas hit a pair of homers and drove in four runs to lead the Toronto Blue Jays over the Texas Rangers, 9-5, at Rogers Centre. John McDonald added two hits and drove in three runs for the Blue

Audel opens Ligue 1 with hat trick >>
Valenciennes, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Striker Johan Audel posted a hat trick to lead Valenciennes over Toulouse, 3-1, in the Ligue 1 opener on Saturday. After breaking a scoreless match in the fifth minute with his first

Matt Kenseth And Kevin Harvick Favorites To Take NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship

(September 15)—The NASCAR season has hit the homestretch with the opening event on this year’s Chase for the Cup taking place this weekend at the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. With 10 races remaining to determine the Cup Series champion, leading online sportsbook MySportsbook.com today announced odds on all 10 Chase qualifying drivers capturing the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.

One of the largest sportsbook sites on the Internet, MySportsbook.com currently lists the top two drivers in the point standings as the early favorites to win the Nextel Cup. Entering the Chase for the Cup with a slim five-point lead in the point standings, 2003 NASCAR champ Matt Kenseth has been made a slight favorite to win his second Cup at 7/2 betting odds. 2001 Cup Rookie of the Year Kevin Harvick has betting odds listed at 5/2 and four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon is listed at 6/1 to capture the Nextel Cup this year.

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of his legendary father who won six NASCAR titles, Dale Earnhardt Jr. stands at 8/1 to breakthrough with his first Cup victory. Staying with the family theme, MySportsbook.com lists 2005 Rookie of the Year Kyle Busch at 14/1 to succeed big brother Kurt’s 2004 NASCAR title. While Kasey Kahne was the final driver to qualify for the Chase with a third place finish last week, the oddsmakers give him a fighting chance at 10/1 mainly due to several mile-and-a-half tracks remaining on the schedule. Despite going winless on the NASCAR circuit this season, Jeff Burton enters the Chase at 5/1 to capture the Cup title. Meanwhile, rookie Denny Hamlin is 4/1 to win the championship, while veteran driver Mark Martin enters the Chase for the Cup as a 15/1 long shot to win his first NASCAR title in his 24th and final season.

MySportsbook.com will offer comprehensive Nascar betting lines on every race remaining on the Nextel Cup series including driver match-ups, props and odds to win each race. For a complete list of NASCAR odds, please visit www.MySportsbook.com.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts US credit cards needs.