Noren hits the front in Sweden

European Tour

Alex Noren will take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the Nordea Masters after a five-under-par 67 on Saturday.

Noren, one of six Swedes in the top 10 looking to claim a home victory on Sunday, mixed seven birdies – including four in his first five holes – with two bogeys to take his total to 11 under par.

That was two shots clear of Germany’s Maximillian Kieffer, who shot a 70, and three ahead of countrymen Swedes Jens Dantorp (73) and Sebastian Soderberg (71).

Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen lies alone in fifth place after a 68.

Also playing himself into contention on Saturday was top-ranked Swede Henrik Stenson.

The World No 4 started with a superb eagle on the first hole and then added four birdies and two bogeys for a four-under-par 68.

Stenson lies on six under par, five back, and knows he will need to go low on Sunday.

“I’m happy with my score,” said Stenson after completing his round. “I left a couple of shots out there and made two bogeys on the par threes where I three-putted, but I hit a lot of good stuff as well so all in all it was a solid round.

“At least I’m in with a chance now. It was a momentum killer to three-putt 17 but I got it back on 18 and at six under you never know.

“I might be four or five back at the end of the day, maybe more, but it’s definitely going to thin out a bit at the top. That stretch coming in, down 16, 17 and 18, is really tough in the wind.

“I’ll do my best tomorrow. I was in a much better position last year, but I’ve still got a little chance. The support is great again today and there’s a big crowd out there. At least I was able to give them a bit of a showing.”

There was a two-hour suspension for a morning thunderstorm at PGA Sweden National.

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