Dubai: Swede Joel Sjoholm's rise up the leader board from tied for 54th on day one, to tied for fifth after the third round at 13-under par 203 (71, 66, 66), has apparently been stoked by his rivalry with Dane golfer Thomas Bjorn.
Bjorn had been apparently ribbing the 26-year-old Chilean-born Swede for his poor start to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, but after five birdies on his last five on the second round and three birdies on either nine on his third, fastest-rising Sjoholm is having the last laugh. In total the winless Swede who turned professional in 2008 has made up 11 strokes in his last 23 holes.
Day two's joint leader Bjorn meanwhile has dropped to tied for ninth 204 (66, 65, 73) ending his third round following three birdies and a bogey, with three consecutive bogeys on the last three holes to drop a shot from day two.
Stepped up
Sjoholm explained: "I had dinner with Thomas Bjorn and he was poking fun out of me because I was so far behind, so all day I've just been trying to reach him. I could clearly see that he's playing good out there.
"From being on the borderline for the cut [at two under from the first 28 holes — the cut was made at one under]. I stepped up and did what I was supposed to do on day two, which was to get towards nine under.
"I managed to do something I haven't done for a long time — with five birdies in the last five [holes] — and I walked out on day three with a great, positive feeling because walking off of a great course like this in the way that I did after the last five just gave me inspiration for the weekend."
Sjoholm added: "I've been such good friends with Thomas Bjorn for a long time. We're neighbours at our summer houses in Sweden, so I've learned what it's like to be around champions. I don't think that the names are going to intimidate me too much. The golf speaks for itself. They're fantastically good golfers, so — of course — it's going to be a struggle to beat them. I'm just hoping I can go out and post a round on Sunday and then we'll see what happens.
"I'm just going to try to go out and play good golf and do what I'm here to do and just try to post an under. .
"Winning doesn't come into my mind for the moment. Of course, it's always been a dream to win - I've not won as a pro yet. I never did it on the Challenge Tour and I've not done it on any other tour, so that's very far away in my mind. But, of course, it is a goal I have, but I cannot say that's my goal for Sunday. On Sunday, I'm just going to try to go out and play golf and, hopefully, I will pull it off. It would be fantastic, but we will see what happens on Sunday."
