Low scoring to decide Nordic Open victor

Low scoring continued to be the order of the day in the third round of the inaugural Nordic Open today.

Low scoring continued to be the order of the day in the third round of the inaugural Nordic Open today.

The first two days at Simon's Golf Club in Copenhagen had yielded 1,219 birdies, 40 eagles and one albatross, with the four par-fives contributing exactly 500 of those birdies.

And the scoreboard was again awash with red figures this morning as Gregory Havret's overnight lead was quickly wiped out.

Havret had led the way on 13 under par after rounds of 68 and 63, with Swede Patrik Sjoland and English duo David Gilford and David Lynn two shots behind.

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But the Frenchman's lead lasted only three holes as the players again took advantage of perfect scoring conditions and a course playing fast and shorter than its 7,027 yards.

Local favourite Soren Hansen was the first to join Havret in the lead, the Dane going to the turn in 31 and then delighting the large crowds with further birdies at the 10th and 12th.

Gilford, playing alongside Havret, then got in on the act with birdies at the second and third before Ian Poulter made it a four-way tie with his fourth birdie of the day on the seventh.

Colin Montgomerie was among the myriad of players lurking just a shot off the lead, the Scot finally making the most of the par-fives, the four easiest holes on the course.

Montgomerie, playing his first event since being forced to pull out of the Open championship after just seven holes, birdied the third and picked up another shot on the par-five seventh, one of the two par fives he three-putted in his second-round 65.

Another birdie from eight feet on the next took Montgomerie to 12 under, alongside playing partner Miguel Angel Jimenez and Londoner Brian Davis.

Sweden's Marten Olander had set the clubhouse target on 12 under par but that was certain to be overtaken.

Peter Lawrie remained the leading Irishman on 10 under through 11 holes. The Dubliner was one for the day, just five shots off the pace.

Further down the field Damien McGrane carded a one under 71 to be five under for the tournament. Graeme McDowell could only manage a 73 and dropped back to two under going into the final round.