CORRECTED - Golf-Havret takes early third round lead at Irish Open

(Corrects para eight to birdie instead of par)

By Bernie McGuire

ADARE, Ireland, May 17 (Reuters) - Frenchman Gregory Havret carded the lowest score of the week to grab the clubhouse lead early in the third round of the Irish Open at Adare on Saturday.

Havret was out in the very first group of the day and recorded seven birdies, including three in succession from his 14th hole, in a round of 65 for a four-under-par tally on the Adare Manor course.

The 31-year old Aix-en-Province golfer began his third round in a lowly share of 60th place on three over and having just made the cut.

But Havret headed to lunch just strokes two behind compatriot Michael Lorenzo-Vera who had yet to tee off on the third day.

"I played well, really well, all the way around and the course was a little easier after the rain we had overnight with the greens a lot softer," said Havret.

"There were many good shots and overall it was a pretty good round.

"But the course is definitely playing the easiest it has been all week and four under par after three rounds is a good score around here. I should be pretty close to the lead at the end of the day," he said.