Australian Fraser on top at PGA Championship

VIRGINIA WATER, England, May 26 (Reuters) Australia's Marcus Fraser opened up a two-stroke lead midway through the PGA Championship third round at a damp Wentworth today.

The 28-year-old from New South Wales picked up two birdies in a flawless front nine of 33 to move to nine-under for the tournament.

Fraser, winner of the 2003 Russian Open, was two ahead of South African Richard Sterne and 2005 champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina.

Britain's Justin Rose, who shared the overnight lead with Cabrera on eight-under, dropped back after taking a double-bogey six at the third as rain fell for the first time this week at the European Tour's flagship event.

Dane Anders Hansen, who won this title in 2002, equalled the day's best round when a five-under 67 gave him the clubhouse lead on 211, five under.

World number five Ernie Els produced an unusually erratic round, mixing two eagles and four birdies with one triple-bogey, a double-bogey and three bogeys as he carded a 72 for 216.

His triple-bogey seven came when he four-putted the seventh green.

REUTERS SSC PM2128