Noren opens up lead at Celtic Manor

Alex Noren held a three-stroke lead over fellow Swede Peter Hanson after six holes of the Saab Wales Open final round at a wet and windy Celtic Manor.

Ryder Cupper Hanson drew level with a 10-foot birdie putt on the fourth, but then missed a three-foot chance at the next and followed that with a double bogey six, hitting his approach into the water.

Noren, resuming on eight under par, matched Hanson’s birdie on the fourth after watching Danish playing partner Anders Hansen – also one behind at the start - run up a double-bogey seven on the long second.

Defending champion Graeme McDowell improved 10 shots on his third-round 81, but was still way down the field on three over – and missing a short par putt on the last did his battered confidence no good in his last competitive round before he puts his US Open title on the line.