Joel Sjöholm fired a ten under par round of 62 to break the course record by two shots at Katrineholms GK during round three of the Swedish Challenge hosted by Robert Karlsson.
The Swede, who started the day in tied 49thplace after opening rounds of 72 and 71, made the perfect start on day three after an eagle three at the first.
The 31 year old, who graduated on to the European Tour in 2010, then picked up four further birdies to reach the turn in 31, rocketing up the leaderboard in the process.
After three more gains on holes 13, 15 and 16, the Swede felt as though he was in with a chance of reaching 60 with two holes to play.
But after another birdie at 17, Sjöholm signed for his best score as a professional – which shattered the previous course record of 64.
“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 16thI left the green thinking that I could make an eagle at the par five 17thand 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.”
Sjöholm, who is in contention with compatriots Jeff Karlsson and Johan Edfors at Katrineholms GK, was also delighted that he achieved his record-breaking score on home soil.
“For the first time I will have my mother calling me to tell me how proud she is,” he joked. “It is really nice to play at home and I can’t stress enough how important it is for Sweden to have a Challenge Tour event.
“People think it is not important because we can’t get the crowds they get on the European Tour but they don’t understand how key it is for the young guys, and those who have fallen off the Tour, to have a chance to play in our home country and reduce the cost a little bit.
“I am just happy to be a Swedish guy this week and Robert Karlsson and his team have put a fantastic tournament together.”
