Dashing Dane Thorbjorn Olesen is just one round away from his second Race to Dubai success this season.
Olesen heads to Saturday’s final round still leading by three strokes after carding a third round 68 in the rain affected event at the Diamond Country Club course in Austria.
Olesen, who captured the Sicilian Open earlier this year, was already in the clubhouse with a 12 under par halfway mark, however, and none of those returning to the course this morning managed to get close to him.
England's Richard Bland looking for first European Tour success. (Photo - golfsupport.nl/www.golffile.ie)
The 22-year old, who is currently ranked 99th in the world and would qualify for the PGA Championship with victory in Austria, then went into his third round picking up four shots mid round to head to the last day three clear of Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg.
“I didn’t hit the ball as well I did the first two days,” said Olesen.
“I still had some good opportunities so I could’ve taken a few more, but the fact that I’m feeling slightly disappointed with a 68 is probably a good sign, because it shows how well I’m playing and how high my expectations are.
“There was no wind at all so it was a perfect day for scoring, and I saw a few of the guys took advantage and went low. Hopefully I can do the same tomorrow.
“Golf is never easy, and of course the fairways are a little bit wider here than they were at Royal Lytham, and you can attack the pins more because of the greens.
“Plus of course there aren’t quite as many bunkers here this week! So it’s a little bit easier, but you still have to take care on some holes out there.”
Karlberg posted four birdies in his last six holes, including a 12 footer at the 17th, to sign for a 66 and move into second on 13 under.
Frenchman Benjamin Hebert carded a joint best score of the three days of a 64 to move into a share of third with compatriot Thomas Levet, England’s Richard Bland and home favourite Bernd Wiesberger.
Challenge Tour graduate Hebert, without a top-30 finish all season, enjoyed playing with first round leader Pablo Larrazábal.
The Spaniard appeared to have dropped out of contention when he followed his opening 64 with a 76 and dropped three further shots at the start of his third round, but came storming back with seven birdies in eight holes from the ninth for a 68 and eight under total.
“I played fantastically well,” said Hebert. “It was very nice to play with Pablo [Larrazabal] and Peter [Hedblom], because there was a very nice atmosphere.
“Pablo was making lots of birdies, so I think we were having a little competition between us! I’m not sure who won in the end, but I’m very happy anyway.”
Levet dropped shots at the first and third, but the former Alstom Open de France winner came storming back with birdies from eight feet at the eighth and 12 feet at the ninth, before eagleing the long tenth.
Bland, seeking his first European Tour win in his 281st start, made five birdies around the turn but missed a six footer for par at the last to drop into a tie for third with a 68, while Wiesberger went one better with a 67.
