Kristoffer Broberg put himself in position to win his fourth Challenge Tour event of the season with a sparkling five under par 66 in the third round of the Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Challenge hosted by Royal Golf Club.
The Swede is playing his first season on the Challenge Tour but has already won three titles – which earned him instant promotion to The European Tour – and at ten under par he leads by two shots in the Danish capital.
Englishmen Daniel Brooks and Simon Wakefield are Broberg’s closest challengers after carding rounds of 68 and 70 respectively, while Norway’s Espen Kofstad is two shots further back at six under after a 67.
Victory would almost certainly take Broberg to the top of the Rankings and would also make him the first player to win four times in one season since Warren Bennett won five in 1998.
“I played very well again today,” said the 26 year old. “From tee to green I was excellent but the putter wasn’t so good. I missed one on the last there that I should have made for birdie.
“I chipped in for a two on the par three seventh, and that kind of got me going really. And it was nice to finish with three birdies in the last five holes.
“I’ve been in this position several times this season and have shown that I can finish it off. I’m very comfortable leading and I play well under pressure, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow and hopefully it will be another good day.”
Wakefield attributed some “silly mistakes” for his failure to build on his overnight lead, but overall was happy to be in contention for his first win of the season.
“I’m pleased I’m still up there and tomorrow is a new day,” he said. “I threw away a couple of shots by missing short putts, particularly on the 14th and 17th.
“On the 15th I got in trouble again, as I did yesterday, but hacked out well and then chipped in to save par.”
Brooks is 24th in the Rankings and needs a strong finish to break into the top 20 who earn a European Tour card for 2013.
“I was very steady again today,” he said. “I made a few good up and downs on the front nine to stay in touch with the lead and managed to make three birdies on the back nine too. It was a bit disappointing to finish with a bogey, but I’m still in contention and hopefully I can get something going tomorrow.
“I’ve been playing really well the last few weeks and nothing has happened for me, so it’s nice that I’m up there this week and playing well under pressure.”
Next week is the season-ending Apulia San Domenico Grand Final, for which only the top 45 players in the Rankings after this tournament qualify.
