Dubai favourite Henrik Stenson is in contention ahead of the final round of the Czech Masters. Finn Tapio Pulkkanen leads by two strokes as he aims to secure a maiden European Tour title.
The Finn, who was European Challenge Tour No. 1 in 2017, carded a six-under par round of 66 at Albatross Golf Resort to move to 13-under, two clear of Americans Sean Crocker and Johannes Veerman and 2016 Open Champion and long-time Dubai resident Stenson.
After three birdies on his front nine, Pulkkanen shared the lead at the turn but pulled clear with gains at the 11th, 13th and 16th holes. He recovered from a bogey on 17th on the closing hole, firing his approach to three feet and tapping in for his seventh birdie of the day.
Crocker and Veerman are also in search of their first European Tour victories, while Stenson will bid for his 12th title and first win since claiming his maiden Major Championship at Royal Troon five years ago.
Paul Peterson, winner of this event in 2016, makes up the top five on 10-under par after his four-under round of 68.
South African Dubai resident MG Keyser hit a second consecutive 68 and is eight strokes off the lead.
Due to the threat of thunderstorms in the Czech capital on Sunday afternoon, the final round of the Czech Masters will be a two-tee start.
Tapio Pulkkanen said: “It was a solid round. I’m happy with that. I won one tournament in Kazakhstan. Winning of course is always difficult. I feel like I could do it here. I was on top here three years ago, but the wind changed in the middle of the tournament and I didn’t have a good strategy for the other wind direction. I feel like I can play both aggressive and defensive here this week. I feel like I can win here.”
Henrik Stenson added: “I’m pleased with the way I managed my way around the golf course. I’m still battling some things in the swing — I don’t know how visible it is on the outside but I’m certainly feeling it. It’s hard to turn around two or three bad seasons in one week. But I’m positive with the progress and feel like I’ve got a good grip on what we need to do. It’s about doing it more and better and at the same time I’m trying to play golf and do well in this tournament. “It would mean a lot (to win). I haven’t won for about two years, it would be nice to get another win under my belt. On the same note I’m all about the progress that I’m trying to make. I know when I get my golf game in good shape I’ll have chance to win tournaments still. I feel like I’ve got plenty to give. That’s been the frustrating part of not performing in the last couple of years, I’ve not been playing good enough. It doesn’t matter how hungry you are or how well you’re trying to do things if it’s not coming together. We’re making good progress and after three days we’re still at the races.”
Scores after Round Three:
203 T Pulkkanen (FIN) 68 69 66,
205 J Veerman (USA) 71 66 68, H Stenson (SWE) 67 69 69, S Crocker (USA) 68 67 70
206 P Peterson (USA) 68 70 68
207 S Horsfield (ENG) 68 72 67, P Eriksson (SWE) 70 69 68, A Meronk (POL) 68 67 72, S Soderberg (SWE) 70 64 73
208 M Siem (GER) 71 68 69, N Hojgaard (DEN) 68 71 69
209 R McGowan (ENG) 70 70 69, J Lagergren (SWE) 70 70 69, D Perrier (FRA) 72 68 69, J Kruyswijk (RSA) 69 68 72, D Burmester (RSA) 68 69 72
210 N Lemke (SWE) 70 72 68, J Luiten (NED) 71 71 68, S Kjeldsen (DEN) 70 67 73,
211 B Poke (DEN) 73 71 67, M Keyser (RSA) 75 68 68, S Kim (USA) 71 72 68, D Coupland (ENG) 74 69 68
