The unsung Kjeldsen went out in a sparkling 31 shots

Kjeldsen, who was the overnight leader on four under par, started with three birdies as he went out in 31 to stretch away from the field.

Birdies at seven and eight meant he led by six strokes as he went to the turn.

The 28-year-old Dane was less impressive on the back nine but birdied the last to come home in 36 and will go into Sunday's final round a strong favourite.

"When I came here my main goal was to give myself a chance because I've started a lot of weekends just in the top 25, and now that goal's been achieved. I'm going to attack (on Sunday)," Kjeldsen said.

I'm still optimistic - don't say I'm never optimistic, okay? Colin Montgomerie

Scotland's Alastair Forsyth and England's Paul Broadhurst share second on four under par with Australia's Adam Scott a shot further back in fourth.

Colin Montgomerie is in the group on two under but was furious after shooting a 69 that he felt should have been so much better.

"That was ridiculous - I turned a 64 into a 69 and I love doing that," he said.

"I'm just not getting up and down. There were four par-fives there where I've missed golden opportunities that I used to take as bread and butter.

THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD (GB and Ire unless stated) -9 S Kjeldsen (Den) -4 A Forsyth, P Broadhurst -3 A Scott (Aus) -2 S Gallacher, Colin Montgomerie, M A Martin Collated clubhouse scores

"It doesn't happen any more. Don't know why, but I just can't get up and down.

"I'm still optimistic. Don't say I'm never optimistic, okay? Four par-fives there that I never got up and down on, so I'm fed up, okay?"

During a high-scoring second round there had been 13 sevens, three nines, a 10, an 11, a 12 and the 17 from Chris Gane at the par-five 18th that was the second-highest score in tour history.

The worst that happened on the third day was the closing quadruple bogey nine of Paul Lawrie.

The 1999 Open champion had broken his putter coming off the 13th and used his driver thereafter, but he could not blame that - he lost two balls before he reached the green.