Que wavers, drops to joint 43rd with 71

MANILA, Philippines - Angelo Que blew a sizzling three-under card at the front with a shaky finish, settling for an even par 71 and dropping to joint 43rd in the third round of the European Masters still paced by Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez in Crans Montana, Switzerland.

Que, who started the round in 42nd with six others, hit three birdies in the last five holes at the front of the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club and moved past a host of rivals in the standings. But just when he thought he had the momentum on his side, disaster struck the ace Filipino shotmaker, bogeying the first two holes at the back, dropping another stroke on No. 13 before scrambling for pars for that 71.

He slid one rung farther back at 43 in the company of 11 others, including Chinese top bet Liang Wen-chong (70) and Asian Tour regular Simon Dyson (74) at 210 heading into the last 18 holes of the $2.8 million event.

Que’s faulty finish also dashed his hopes of matching his seventh-place effort last year as the frontrunners continued to deal the par-71 layout a severe beating.

Jimenez fired a 68 after a career-low round of 10-under par 61 in the second day for a 17-under 196 as he kept a three-shot lead over Italy’s Edoardo Molinari, who also had a 68 for a 199.

Matteo Manassero, also of Italy, hit a 69 for joint third with Steve Webster who had a 64 for 200.