Jeff Karlsson will take a one shot lead into the final round of the Swedish Challenge hosted by Robert Karlsson after carding a third round of 68 at Katrineholms GK.
Playing in his first European Challenge Tour event of the season, the home favourite blew away the rest of the field, making six birdies and two bogeys to seize control on day three.
The 27 year old, who is playing in this week’s competition on an invite, sits one ahead of Finland’s Kalle Samooja after reaching 13 under par overall in his homeland.
After leading from the front today, the Swede is hopeful that he can convert his scintillating form into a maiden victory on Europe’s top developmental tour.
“It would obviously be really nice to win in your home country,” he said. “With a Swedish crowd watching a win would feel pretty amazing.
“Today was pretty similar to the first two days really. I just stuck at it with the same game plan, hit the same clubs off the tee and did what I had to do – it was a solid day.
“I am pretty set on what I need to do now so I will not change anything tomorrow. The course plays pretty much the same every day – except for the different pins – so I will just try to keep scoring.
“I am really happy to be here. I only got an invite last minute so am just relishing the opportunity. It doesn’t change anything – the way I play, or howI go about things – so it is just another tournament really.”
Two back from Karlsson is his compatriot Joel Sjöholm, who carded eight birdies and an eagle to sign for a ten under par round of 62 and break the course record by two at Katrineholms GK.
“This was my best round as a professional,” he said. “The putter went extremely hot on the greens.
“I made the best start possible by holing a seven-yard putt for an eagle, then I went on to play some really good golf.
“I made birdies at four and five then I made one of the worst, luckiest birdies at the sixth I have ever seen.
“If I wasn’t there I wouldn’t have believed it. I hit it off a tree then it went straight into the hole!
“Then I holed a long putt on the seventh to make me six under after seven, so I thought ‘it is going to be a good day no matter what happens’. I stepped on the gas then and managed to make four birdies over the back nine.
“After a birdie at the 16th I left the green thinking that I could make an eagle at the par five 17th and another birdie at 18 to reach 60 – which would have been amazing.
“Although I couldn’t quite manage it I can’t complain, it was such a great day.”
