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Harto hurtles into the lead in The Princess
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Harto hurtles into the lead in The Princess

Andreas Hartø will take a two shot lead into the final round of The Princess by Schüco after firing a stunning nine under par 63 in the third round, which was finally completed on Sunday morning.

Andreas Harto

Four groups had to return to PGA of Sweden National early the following day to finish off their third round after play was suspended on Saturday afternoon because of thunderstorms. Swede Pelle Edberg was one of those, and he finished with a 68 to reach ten under par, as was Branden Grace, who reached the same score with a 67.

Portugal’s Ricardo Santo, who was able to complete his round - an impressive 65 - on Saturday, to join the pair at ten under, while Englishman Daniel Brooks also had a 65 to be nine under.

Harto was able to avoid the quick turnaround on Sunday, however, and was upbeat about his chances of victory,

He has shown in the past he can hold his nerve, winning twice in four appearances on the Challenge Tour last season – the first while still an amateur – and taking the eighth card at The European Tour Qualifying School in December.

His category did not gain him exemption to the Alstom Open de France on The European Tour this week, so he took advantage of being able to stay at home in Copenhagen and travel over the bridge each day to The Princess by Schüco in neighbouring Sweden.

Hartø said: “My putter worked very well. I think I had 22 or 24 putts. I hit some very good shots and the hole felt like a bucket – I just kept seeing it roll in every time.

“I was sitting in the clubhouse 15 minutes before my start time watching the rain pouring down, so I certainly didn’t expect to play like this. Sometimes these kind of rounds just happen. I had a good up and down at the first and that seemed to spark a pretty decent start.

“I made a long putt at the fourth but the others were short ones thanks to good approach shots. It was a great day.

“I’m feeling so confident. I wish the last round could start now. I guess if I can play the same as I did today I’m in pretty good shape, but we’ll see what happens. My only goal for the tournament was to have fun.

“I’ve enjoyed it a lot, and the past two months have been a bit tough. I progressed very quickly and it was a big change last year, but I’ve had some very good experiences and I’ve learned a lot, so if I can continue like this and just enjoy my golf like I did today I’ll be fine.

“I’ve been able to stay at home this week, as I’m from Copenhagen, just across the bridge. After five weeks on the road it has been great being at home while I play this event.”

Santos had eight birdies and a bogey in his round, and, like Hartø, attributed his low score to his form on the greens.

“I didn’t hit it great on the front nine but holed lots of putts, and on the back nine I hit it much better but didn’t hole as many. The birdie at the last was good – it was a putt from about six metres – and a nice way to finish.

“Two shots is nothing in golf. I’m in a good position. I’ve just got to play my game as I did today. There is less pressure if you are behind. I will just try to enjoy it.”

Brooks had seven birdies and two bogeys – both on the back nine - and said: “I played well today. I’ve been playing really well the last two weeks but today I holed a few putts than usual – that was the difference. That’s what you’ve got to do. These days don’t come along too often – where you hole practically everything – so you have to make the most of it.

“I’m feeling confident about tomorrow. I’m playing well, hitting it straight and I really like the course. It’s in great condition and the weather was a lot easier today – much less windy.”

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