Maarten Lafeber and Adam Scott share a two shot lead going into the final round of the Scandic Carlsberg Scandinavian Masters where they are being hotly pursued by an ecclectic mix of some of the most experienced names on The European Tour alongside some of the brightest prospects in the game.
The two leaders – who shot 69 and 67 respectively for third round totals of eight under par 208 – are three shots clear of a group of five players that includes former Ryder Cup captain Mark James and the Swede Robert Karlsson, who have almost 40 years of combined Tour experience between them.
Sitting on six under alongside Carl Pettersson and Steve Webster are Luke Donald and Nick Dougherty – two players who belong to the promising band of emerging European talent who are tipped for the very top.
It all makes for a fascinating final day at the Barsebäck Golf and Country Club with so many players in contention for the first prize of €316,660.
Scott would love to end his recent run of poor form that has seen him miss four out of five cuts before this weekend, with a victory that he feels would complete his rehabilitation.
“My form recently hasn’t been good and it’s the first time in my career that a period like that has lasted for quite a while,” said the 23 year old Australian.
“I’ve been putting really poorly but I’ve spoken about it with Butch and I think I’m starting to come back to the form I would like. I played really solid today, didn’t drop any shots and just played quite conservatively but it worked well.”
Scott also acknowledged that if he produces another 67 tomorrow he will be a hard man to beat, but Lafeber will be determined to secure his first win after five years on The European Tour. The Dutchman birdied the 18th to join Scott for a share of the lead.
Dougherty, playing in the last group with James, chipped in for birdie at the ninth but struggled throughout his third round of two over par 74.
Pettersson, on the other hand, enjoyed a glorious day in front of his own people. The Swede – who is due to get married next week – fired a course record 66 to move into joint third with Englishmen Donald, Dougherty and Webster.
Alongside James and Karlsson on five under are Dutchman Robert Jan Derksen, Swedes Peter Hedblom and Richard Johnson as well as Søren Kjeldsen from Denmark and Scotsman Gary Orr.
