Matthew grabs share of lead

Scotland’s Catriona Matthew produced the round of the tournament – a six-under-par 66 – to take a share of the lead after the third day’s play at the Scandinavian TPC.

The 37-year-old mixed four birdies, two bogeys and two eagles to join American Brittany Lincicome on five-under-par.

Louise Stahle, from nearby Lund, picked up three shots to take third place on four-under, one shot clear of Norwegian Suzann Pettersen who carded four birdies and two to move to three-under-par.

Second round leader Laura Diaz of the United States dropped three shots as she slipped to two-under where she was joined in fifth position by three Swedes, Maria Hjorth, Sophie Gustafson and teenage amateur Caroline Hedwall, who posted scores of 69, 70 and 72 respectively.

Matthew’s best round of the year would have been even better if an 18-foot putt to save par on the final hole had not rolled an inch past the pin.

She was desperately close to the first albatross of her career on the par-five 12th, after her approach with a seven iron landed a foot from the hole. She then recorded her second eagle on the back nine, at the par-five 16th and, having gone out in 34, she came home in 32, four-under-par.

Despite the disappointment of ending on a bogey, Matthew said she was delighted with her round.

“I played really well today. I hit a lot of greens and obviously two eagles on the back nine helped my score a bit so I’m pleased with how I played.”

“I played well the first two days, just had a couple runs of bad holes but I was pleased with the way I was hitting the ball.

“I knew if I could do it for 18 holes I’d be okay – I managed to do it for 17 today.”

It was a difficult round for host Annika Sorenstam, whose hopes of defending her title have all-but disappeared.

The Swede, who is on course for her first season without a trophy since 1993, posted a score of 74 to move to four-over-par – nine shots behind the leaders.

There was thunder and lightening in the air as the last few players concluded their rounds at Barseback but it did not stop Stahle from finishing with birdies on the 16th and 17th holes to move within one shot of the leaders as she looks for her maiden LET title.

Matthew and Lincicome will tee off at 12.51pm in the final pairing tomorrow.