ADARE, Ireland -- Bradley Dredge had seven birdies for a 6-under 66 Saturday to take a one-stroke lead after the third round of the Irish Open on the European Tour.

Dredge, who lost to Padraig Harrington in a playoff here last year, overcame a slow start by making six birdies over the last 10 holes to sit at 9-under 207. Richard Finch, who won the New Zealand Open in December, is one shot back after a 65.

Lee Westwood had a tournament-best 64 and held third place, one clear of David Frost (66), Felipe Aguilar (67) and Robert Karlsson (69).

Darren Clarke looked to be putting himself in contention by making four birdies in five holes on the back nine, leaving him two off the lead, but ended with a triple-bogey 8 on the last hole for a 72. He was tied for 17th with Harrington, who had a 70 to sit six strokes off the lead.

Halfway leader Michael Lorenzo-Vera faded with a 75 and dropped to a tie for 23rd.

Dredge finished his second round Friday with four bogeys over the last eight holes for a 73 and began his third round with another bogey. He then came right back with a birdie on the second.

"I suppose it would make amends to win this time. It's tough to lose in a playoff," he said. "At least this time I won't be playing with the home favorite."

Finch barely kept his player's card last year but has taken advantage of his reprieve this season, with three top 10 finishes in addition to his victory in New Zealand. He had seven birdies without a bogey.

"It was not enjoyable when I was struggling with my game," said Finch, who has not yet played in a major championship.

Westwood birdied four straight holes from the 14th then eagled the last for his 64. Westwood's putting was strong throughout the round, as he holed from 18 feet at the fourth and from 15 feet for an eagle on the seventh.

After dropping a shot at the long 12th, he made four straight birdie putts from the 14th, including from 20 feet on 15 and from 18 feet at the 17th.

On the 548-yard 18th, he hit his second shot to within 12 feet of the flag and then made a downhill putt for his second eagle of the day.

"That was great, very enjoyable but it could have been better because I missed a couple," he said.

Frost birdied six holes without dropping a shot, despite having to three-putt the last hole.

"Maybe nerves got to me," he said.

He had a chip-in from 20 feet and two 15-foot birdies in his round.

Westwood produced one of the greatest finishes to a round in European Tour history and now has his sights firmly set on a 30th professional victory.

On an Adare Manor course described by Ryder Cup teammate Paul McGinley as "a monster" on Thursday, Westwood followed birdies at the 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th with a closing eagle 3. Six under for the last five holes gave the former European No. 1 his 64, only one outside Padraig Harrington's course record.

In terms of scoring, the only finish that can better Westwood's on the circuit came from Australian Peter O'Malley on the final day of the 1992 Scottish Open at Gleneagles. O'Malley went eagle-birdie-birdie-birdie-eagle to pip Colin Montgomerie to the title.

Westwood was only playing in Ireland because he fell ill three weeks ago and pulled out of the Wachovia Championship in America.

"I just went out to enjoy it today -- and that was very enjoyable," he said. "It was great. A 64 round here, you have got to class as a pretty good score. I pulled the 4-iron at the last, but it was a good putt."

Having already rolled in a 15-foot eagle putt on the seventh in an outward 33, Westwood was cursing when he took 6 at the long 12th after reaching a greenside bunker in two.

"You hate that and frustrating would be a nice word to use," he added.

But two holes later he converted a 10-foot chance, then holed putts from 20 and four feet before chipping in at the 17th and making the 12-footer on the 548-yard last. It made him leader on his own at the time, but Finch then birdied the 15th and 18th to get in on 8 under.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press and PA Sport. All rights reserved.