A course record-equalling round of 65 saw Sweden’s Joel Sjöholm increase the pressure on his compatriot Oscar Floren, who will carry a slender advantage into the final round of the SWALEC Wales Challenge on the European Challenge Tour.
Floren’s four-shot overnight lead was reduced to just one stroke after Sjöholm, who finished runner-up in the €150,000 event two years ago, notched seven birdies in a flawless display of golf to move to ten under par.
Sjöholm carded three birdies on the front nine before adding a further four after the turn to match the record Floren had himself established during his second round yesterday at the Vale Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort near Cardiff, Wales, which was again bathed in sunshine.
After half an hour’s rest, both men will go in search of their maiden Challenge Tour titles when they embark on their fourth and final rounds.
Sjöholm said: “I made a lot of putts, which is what I had to do. There are leaderboards everywhere out on the course telling me what Oscar’s doing, so my aim was to try to reach him if I can. Obviously I’ve managed to close the gap, but there’s still another 18 holes to play. If I can shoot another low round this afternoon, then obviously I’ll have a great chance.”
Floren posted two birdies and one bogey in his round of 71 to move to 11 under par, whilst Marius Thorp’s round of 71 moved the Norwegian to seven under par.
Switzerland’s André Bossert is in fourth place on five under par after his round of 70.
