Joachim B. Hansen came from five shots behind to lead by three in his homeland at the end of round three at the Made in Denmark Challenge presented by Ejner Hessel.
The Dane produced an exceptional eight under par round of 63 in the sun to take control at Himmerland Golf and Spa Resort and improve his chance of victory for a second time on the European Challenge Tour this season.
Hansen claimed the Turkish Airlines Challenge in April and set his sights on further success when he made three birdies, an eagle and just two bogeys on his first nine holes on Day Three. Overnight leader and fellow Dane Mark Flindt Haastrup could not continue his fine form and failed to put pressure on the 27 year old, as he dropped shots throughout the day to card a two over par round of 73.
However, Hansen was in the zone and holed five birdies in a stunning bogey-free back nine to race ahead in-front of the home crowd.
With the chasing pack three shots behind, Hansen is excited with his prospects of another victory on the Challenge Tour.
“Before teeing off today I didn’t expect to be in this position right now, so I’ll definitely take that,” he said.
“The highlight today was probably my putter. I putted really well today, like I did in the first round. There were lots of birdies and I started well and kept holing the chances I had.
“I was in a good position at the turn. I played well and made a good save on nine. I was in contention and it felt good and I tried to do the same on the back nine.
“The 360 lip-out on ten was a long time since I had a putt like that but following it up with four birdies was perfect.
“Everyone expects me to win tomorrow, but I’ve still got work to do.”
Finland’s Kalle Samooja is the Dane’s closest rival as he carded a fine bogey-free round of 66, five under par, which included two eagles on the front nine and a birdie on the tenth hole. Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey lies five shots behind Hansen after a four under par round and joins Haastrup in fourth place heading into the final round.
