European Tour

Nordea Masters 2018

August 16-19

Hills Golf Club, Gothenburg, Sweden

€1,500,000

August 16-19

Hills Golf Club, Gothenburg, Sweden

€1,500,000

Round 3

Aiken and Waring all square at the top in Gothenburg

Round 1

Round 2

Round 4

Round 1

Round 2

Round 4

August 18, 2018

Thomas Aiken and Paul Waring share a three-shot lead going into the final round of the Nordea Masters after successfully navigating the blustery conditions, and their fair share of drama, at Hills Golf Club.

- Getty Images

“The conditions were a little tougher today the wind was up from the last two days and swirling as usual I started off really playing well and kept it going. Unfortunately, it didn't finish quite the way I would have wanted to but I was giving everything a go and trying to push and stretch those scores out."

“If you told me I was going to shoot 67 at the beginning of the day I would have taken it. I'm in a nice position going into tomorrow, so should be fun.”

Englishman Waring was two shots clear of Aiken at the start of the day, but the South African shot 32 over the front nine to take a one shot lead. He was two shots ahead with six holes left to play after a two-shot swing on the 12th when he made a remarkable up-and-down from a downhill lie on the bank for a birdie, while Waring dropped a shot after finding the water.

“I knew the majority of the field would go backwards today, so if I could keep it around par. My game plan was dictated a bit by the weather, so tried to aim into the wide areas if possible," said Waring.

“Took my chances with the putter a few times, which was nice, Missed a couple on the way in. A bit frustrating, but overall, I would have snatched your hand off for a 69 at the start of the day."

“There are still 18 holes of golf to play, so I'm not getting too carried away there's still a big job to do. I know Thomas quite well, played with him a few times. He's a good player and knows how to win. Last group on a Sunday, it's all you can ask for.”

A dramatic turnaround saw Waring hold a two-shot advantage of his own after a birdie on the 17 th , before another two-shot swing on the last left the duo tied at the top at 12 under par, after Aiken birdied the par five 18th while Waring dropped a shot after putting his second behind a rock and needing a drop.

Dane Thorbjørn Olesen and 2006 champion Marc Warren of Scotland are three shots off the lead at nine under par, one shot clear of German Maximilian Kieffer.

“It was really tough today," said Warren, "the wind got up and was swirling like it was over the first two days, so it made it even more difficult."

“One example would be trying to hit a five iron off the tee on 16 and it went 250 into the bunker. The wind changed and it went straight down wind. Just shows how much of an effect it can have, probably went about 30 yards further than we thought."

“We'll see what the weather is like, after the rain today the greens will be a bit softer. With preferred lies, if you drive the ball well you can just have a go at a few flags. If you drive it well there are a few short irons around here as well. I'll plan to be fairly aggressive, just my usual self.”

Australian pair Adam Bland and Lucas Herbert join England's Lee Slattery on seven under par, while Italy's Nino Bertasio, Frenchman Sébastien Gros, Scott Jamieson of Scotland and England's Robert Rock are one shot further back at six under par.