SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France — Swedish golfer Jesper Svensson shot a third-round 67 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead at the Open de France over Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen and England’s Sam Bairstow.
Svensson had four birdies in the first six holes and five overall. But he bogeyed the 17th at Le Golf National on the outskirts of Paris to finish the day 13th under overall.
Despite that combination, the 28-year-old Svensson showed strong consistency by making 16 of 18 greens in regulation.
“I hit the ball very well all day, I looked good, I hit a lot of good putts,” he said. “A lot of putts went by, hopefully they’ll fall tomorrow.”
Olesen had four birdies and carded a 67, while Bairstow’s 6-under 65 included a superb eagle going into the 14th hole.
“The Front 9 was smooth and I just hit a couple of putts on the back,” Bairstow said. “I hope you continue.”
England’s Dan Bradbury, who shared the overnight lead with Svensson and Belgium’s Thomas Detry, posted a 69 and advanced to Sunday’s final round two strokes behind Svensson in fourth place with Joe Dean (66).
Detry’s 1-over 72 moved him into a tie for 15th at 8 under with England’s Justin Rose — who in July tied for second with Billy Horschel behind champion Xander Schauffele at The Open — and several others.
Lev Grinberg, a 16-year-old Ukrainian in just his fifth appearance on the European Tour, was undone by a triple bogey on the 15th — where he hit two balls into the water — and carded a 70.
Arrested 30th overnight.
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