Nystrom defends lead in France

Swede Henrik Nystrom maintained his two-shot lead after the third round of the AA St Omer Open in northern France after carding a 68 to reach 11 under.

The 37-year-old, who has yet to win after eight years moving between the European and Challenge Tours, leads from South Africa’s Martin Maritz with England’s Shaun Webster a further stroke back on eight under.

After eight successive pars Nystrom birdied the par-five ninth and also picked up shots at the 531-yard 14th and the short 17th.

That was enough to keep him ahead of Maritz, who shot a five-under-par 66 – a score matched by Webster as he moved into contention.

Webster, who won round this course in 1998 before the tournament was given a dual ranking by the European and Challenge Tours, had a flawless round.

He birdied the third, fifth and ninth to turn in 31 and picked up further shots at the par-five 14th and 417-yard 16th.