Thomas Bjorn plays out of bunker at Portmarnock

Thomas Bjorn has overcome the trauma seeing the Open Championship slip away at Sandwich and is top of the leaderboard after three rounds at Portmarnock.

The 32-year-old Dane shares top spot in the Nissan Irish Open with Michael Campbell and David Lynn.

"No matter what happens, I have proved I am going in the right direction and I am still a force to be reckoned with," said Bjorn after sinking a 25-foot birdie putt on the last for a 68 and 10 under par total of 206.

"Winning is not going to make up for last week, though. Nothing will until I win a major."

After opening with a course record 64, Bjorn felt drained in the second round and managed only a 74.

But a nine-hour sleep when he got back to his hotel room re-charged his batteries and he had no fewer than eight birdies to close a four-shot gap.

IRISH OPEN LEADERBOARD -10 David Lynn, Michael Campbell (NZ), Thomas Bjorn (Den) -9 Robert Karlsson (Swe), G Owen -8 Peter Lonard (Aus)

Lynn, who scored a 72 after taking a one-shot lead into the day, is chasing his first European tour title.

Campbell has won 13 times in his career, but has just had to suffer a nightmare time on the American tour.

The New Zealander has decided to abandon the US circuit, at least for the time being, and is trying to rebuild his confidence in Europe.

"Being a creature of comfort, coming back to Europe seemed to turn my whole game around again," said Campbell.

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"We kept our place in Brighton and coming back felt like coming home.

"The US tour is brutal, relentless. The money they play for is just ridiculous and so obviously they are maybe trying that bit harder and are a bit more money-orientated. It is definitely cut-throat."

Campbell opened with two birdies and led by two with Lynn bogeying the second, but then came three bogeys before he hit back with birdies at the two par fives on the back nine, the 13th and 16th.

Bjorn also got up and down from sand at the 16th in a rollercoaster finish of three birdies and three bogeys in the last six.

Local hope Peter Lawrie, Swede Robert Karlsson and Australian Peter Lonard also had at least share of the lead during the day.

However, late mistakes left Karlsson joint fourth with British Masters champion Greg Owen on nine under, one behind, Lonard on eight under and Lawrie level with Peter Hedblom one further back.