Jesper Svensson will take a one stroke lead into the final round of the FedEx Open de France as he bids for a second DP World Tour title in his rookie season.
Related: Thomas Detry moves into share of Open de France lead
The Swede, who won the Porsche Singapore Classic in March, carded a four under 67 to sign for a 13 under par total as he moved one clear of Sam Bairstow and Thorbjørn Olesen at Le Golf National.
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After starting the day in a share of the lead, the 28-year-old carded four birdies on his opening six holes to move three strokes clear. He then parred his next six before making his fifth gain of the day on the par four 13th.
Svensson then slipped back to 13 under after dropping a shot on the 17th just as Bairstow signed for a bogey-free six under par 65 to move to within one.
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Olesen, who was a member of the victorious Ryder Cup side at this venue in 2018, carded a four under par 67 to join Bairstow on 12 under as he looks to go one better than his debut runner-up finish at this event in 2011.
Both Svensson and Bairstow are in their rookie campaigns after graduating from the European Challenge Tour, finishing fifth and 18th respectively on last year’s Road to Mallorca Rankings.
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The English pair of Dan Bradbury and Joe Dean share fourth on 11 under par, with Dean signing for a five under 66 to move seven places up the leaderboard.
Player Quotes
Jesper Svensson: “It was a test of patience out there. I hit the ball really well today I thought. A lot of good looks. Hit a lot of good putts. I mean it was a good day but definitely a test of patience. There was a lot of putts that just snuck past. Hopefully they will drop tomorrow.
“Singapore was a great week, and so far this has been a great week as well. All I want to do is have a chance tomorrow on 18, and that’s what I’m trying and keep playing for.”
Sam Bairstow: “Just solid. Front nine was very smooth and I just holed a few putts on the back nine. Hopefully keep it going and hopefully another one.
“This week with it being soft, I think if you can carry it a bit further, it probably helps into the greens and stuff. I think anywhere it helps if you hit it straight.”
Thorbjørn Olesen: “I felt like I was struggling a little bit with my game but I never got in trouble out there. The bad shots were still pretty good, so this that was nice. A steady round… there were some loose shots but I just managed my game really well today I think.
“I think my putting was pretty consistent all day. Holed some good putts down the front nine, a couple of good putts, and then obviously that one on 17 was really important.”
