Søren Kjeldsen stormed into the lead after an astonishing start to his third round in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.
The Dane followed up an opening 65 with 72 at the Castle Stuart Golf Links yesterday and began this morning knowing a surge would be necessary to challenge those at the top.
He produced just that, though, and was two ahead of overnight leaders Alexander Noren and Francesco Molinari, who will tee off at 1:12pm, having completed the front nine.
Kjeldsen could not have got off to a better start as he birdied the first four before the streak was ended with a par on the next.
Undeterred, he picked up shots on six , seven and eight, with a par on nine ensuring he turned in 29.
Two shots further back was Englishman Andrew Marshall, who matched his first round 66 to be alongside Martin Laird.
Laird was one several Scottish players enjoying fine days; he was six under through 12 and on course to fire himself into contention heading into the last round.
A notable name on 11 under was 2010 Open Championship victor Louis Oosthuizen.
The South African’s charge was undermined by a double bogey on 14 yesterday, but there were no such alarms in an impressive bogey free round, which included four birdies and an eagle, of 66 today.
The name on everbody’s lips, however, was Jack McDonald.
Playing his first European Tour event, the Scottish amateur only reached the cut by virtue of chipping in on the last yesterday.
Yet he carried on that momentum, delivering a 68 to end eight under.
