Olesen takes control in Perth

European Tour

Thorbjorn Olesen carded a five-under-par 67 to claim a three-stroke lead of the Perth International after Saturday’s third round.

The Norwegian ace notched six birdies and one bogey in a round that featured some neat play from the bunkers and skilled putting.

His score of 16-under-par matched the winning total of the inaugural event there two years ago and is three strokes better off than South Korea’s Sihwan Kim, who is on 13-under following his third round 69.

England’s James Morrison is in third place another shot further behind after he followed up his course record 63 on Friday with a 69.

Peter Uihlein moved up the leaderboard on Saturday with a bogey-free 64 to move into fourth place at 11-under -par.

South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel dropped off the pace somewhat, though, after carding a 70 on Saturday and is now seven shots off the pace.

“It was a grind out there,” Olesen admitted to reporters after his round.

“I was struggling but I kept on fighting, kept having fun out there and trying my best.

“Five under is a pretty good score when you’re not playing that great. I hit some awesome bunker shots today. I missed one on 15 which was almost impossible but I had some great up and downs, almost holed a couple.

“I hit my tee shot right – I hit a couple right today – but it was lying beautiful in the light rough. I hit it perfect, it checked up on me and rolled right in,” he said of his third hole scramble.

The 2013 US PGA champion Jason Dufner, who is playing in his first event after undergoing neck surgery three months ago, is tied for 19th after his third round 69, which puts him on seven-under.

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