ENGLAND’S LEE WESTWOOD remains on track to capture his first title of the 2012 season. The world No.3 carded a four-under-par 68 at the Nordea Masters on Friday to preserve his position at the summit of the leaderboard.
The 39-year-old, who won the same European Tour event in a playoff for the first victory of his professional career, will begin tomorrow’s final round on an aggregate total of 16-under-par, three shots clear of compatriot and Ryder Cup veteran Ross Fisher.
Fisher, who only required 65 shots to negotiate Bro Hoff Slott’s 7,600 yards, will hope to use the final 18 as a means of atoning for his controversial loss at last week’s Wales Open, during which he accrued a shot penalty and £6,000 fine for slow play. Alone in second place, the former Irish Open champion sits a shot ahead of home hero Peter Hanson (69), who in turn enjoys a one-shot advantage over European Tour veteran Richard Bland (68).
Elsewhere, defending champion Alex Noren, a confirmed fan of the Stockholm layout, recorded his second consecutive 66 to move into a tie for fifth place.
The tournament began on Wednesday, a day “early,” to accommodate players preparing to play next week’s US Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.
