Peter Hanson could be the man to give Sweden their third successive victory on The European Tour. He holds a one shot lead on 11 under par going into the final day of the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Cologne.
After the victories for Peter Hedblom in Scotland and Alex Noren in Switzerland, 31 year old Hanson leads England's Simon Dyson, winner of the KLM Open in The Netherlands three weeks ago, Denmark’s Soren Hansen and South Africa’s James Kingston by one entering the final round.
If Hanson goes on to win, it would also keep the trophy in Swedish hands. Robert Karlsson, unable to play this week because of an eye problem which has kept him out since May, triumphed by two last year.
Three behind England's Chris Wood and Australian Scott Strange at halfway, Hanson came through with a joint best-of-the-day 67 while they shot 73 and 74 respectively.
He did not drop a shot, picking up birdies at the first, fourth, seventh, ninth and 14th holes.
Hanson said: “When I stood on the first tee here this week I decided I wanted to get into contention again.
“That's been my target and both yesterday and today I told myself if I could card 66 or 67 I could get myself into contention for the final day.”
He added: “My birdie on 14 was best. I’m disappointed I didn't make one on 13 so good to get one back on 14.
“I didn't take a chance on 15 and had great chance from five feet on the last and didn't take it.
“It's going to be very tight tomorrow. The leaderboard is very packed and it's going to take a very good round to win tomorrow.”
World Number Six Henrik Stenson, of Sweden, and England’s Anthony Wall finished on nine under, one ahead of Wood who bogeyed the last to finish eight under and leave Dyson heading England’s charge.
Dyson, who birdied the 13th, 14th and eagled the 15th thanks to a five iron to 18 feet, went round in four under while Hansen and Kingston took two shots more.
He said: “Confidence breeding more confidence? Yes, it's amazing what confidence does.
“When your confidence is low you can't see yourself doing anything but when it's high you feel capable of achieving anything.
“I've been playing well the last month. It would be nice to have a good day tomorrow.
“My front nine was a little sluggish but I started finding the fairways on the back nine.”
Wood's bid to become only the third player in European Tour history to go through a tournament without a bogey ended at the 48th hole.
The 21 year old was sharing the lead with Hanson when he fired his approach to the 465 yard 12th into the crowd over the green and failed to get up and down.
