Erlandsson on a charge

Sweden’s Martin Erlandsson, joint 20th with a round to play, birdied seven of the first 10 holes and led the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles today.

Erlandsson, third in the event two years ago after a closing 66, raced to nine under par, one ahead of compatriot Peter Hedblom, Scot Paul Lawrie and Dane Soren Hansen.

Hedblom led by one overnight and by two after an opening birdie, but then ran up a bogey six on the 516-yard next.

Lawrie’s fellow countryman Gary Orr, meanwhile, had six successive birdies around the turn to reach seven under and joint fifth place.