Inspired Hedblom surges into lead

THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD:
-14 P Hedblom (Swe) -12 Pt Lawrie (Ire) -11 D Clarke (NI), -10 T Pilkadaris (Aus), J Donaldson (Wal), K Ferrie (Eng), Sam Little (Eng)

Sweden's Peter Hedblom has a two shot lead

Sweden's Peter Hedblom will take a two-shot lead into the KLM Open's final round after firing the lowest 54-hole total of the European Tour this season.

Hedblom, who shared the overnight lead with Darren Clarke, shot a six-under-par 64 to reach 14 under and lead Peter Lawrie by two and Clarke by three.

Clarke shot a 67 to leave him a shot ahead of Terry Pilkadaris, Kenneth Ferrie, Jamie Donaldson and Sam Little.

Hedblom's round included five birdies, one bogey and an eagle.

Following his round the 39-year-old Hedblom paid credit to the coach who came up with a new practice putting routine for him.

"He wanted me to play tournaments against myself, so I have to hole eight putts in a row from three feet and then eight in a row from four feet," said Hedblom.

"It took me an hour and 20 minutes at Loch Lomond, but Thursday was the first day I did all 16 in a row.

"If I can keep putting like this the rest of my life it will be nice."

Irishman Lawrie had thrown away the lead with a closing double bogey in his second round and was delighted to come back with a 65.

But Clarke, the defending champion, was less elated with his round, paying tribute to leader Hedblom.

"I just wasn't quite at the races and Peter played wonderfully," said Clarke.