Sorenstam leads on home turf

Annika Sorenstam admitted it might be “rude” to win your own tournament but it did not stop her trying at the Scandinavian TPC at Barseback Golf Club in Sweden.

The world number one is the tournament host and the player the crowd have al come to watch at the course near Malmo.

And she did not disappoint with a third round 67 for four under par 212 and a one shot lead with a round to play.

Suzann Pettersen slipped into second place on three under after a 69 that suggested the feisty Norwegian has shrugged off recent injury problems and should be fit for next month’s Solheim Cup.

Europe defends the trophy at Crooked Stick in Indiana – and Pettersen looked unlikely to retain her place after months of back problems.

But she boosted her hopes of a wild card pick with a four birdie round over the course where she played such a big part in Europe’s Cup win two years ago

For Sorenstam, a five-time winner in her home country, it was business as usual as she packed seven birdies into the best round of a week blighted by wind and rain.

“I don’t if it is rude to win your own tournament, but I’ll certainly be trying to do that tomorrow,” she said after signing off with birdies at the last two holes.

“It’s always wonderful to be back in Sweden. It’s always only for a couple of weeks a year and the support is just huge.”

Gwladys Nocera, the French player who is clinging on to the seventh and final automatic selection spot for the Solheim Cup, three-putted the 18th for a bogey and a 71, but was still well-placed in third place, two off the lead.

American Natalie Gulbis was fourth on one under after a 71, while Scotland’s Catriona Matthew was the leading British player on five over after a 73. She was one ahead of England’s Trish Johnson.