DP World Tour : Porsche European Open
Alexander Björk produced a stunning birdie-eagle finish to head into the final round of the 2023 Porsche European Open in a six-way share of the lead.
The Swede turned in 35 blows after mixing three birdies with a double bogey and one bogey on the front nine, before following up birdies at the 15th and 17th with a closing eagle from the fringe to reach six under par.
He sits alongside 2017 champion Jordan Smith, Scotland's David Law, Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin, Dane John Axelsen and France's Julien Guerrier at the top of the leaderboard, with home favourite Marcel Siem another shot back in seventh.
Björk, who is looking to claim his second DP World Tour crown - and first since 2018 - on Sunday said: "It would mean a lot. It’s always fun to win. It was a long time ago, so hopefully I can go out and do it tomorrow."
Englishman Smith, who secured the first of his two DP World Tour titles with a play-off victory over Alex Levy at Green Eagle Golf Courses six years ago, carded four birdies and three bogeys in his third-round 72.
The 30-year-old had a good chance to take the outright lead at the last but was unable to convert his birdie putt from around five feet.
Smith said: "I was just happy to play nicely on the back nine and make some putts, which I didn’t do on the front nine.
"We’ll go figure some things out and see what tomorrow brings.
"Everyone will say it (winning) would mean everything, but it would mean everything. It would be nice to win in front of my wife and it would be great to get that third win under my belt."
Guerrier began the day six shots off the lead but stormed into contention after recovering from a bogey on the sixth with five birdies over the next six holes.
He dropped another shot on the 13th but closed his round with gains at the 15th, 16th and 18th to shoot a 67 and put himself in a strong position as he searches for his first DP World Tour title.
Guerrier said: "I won’t change anything. I’ll try to take advantage of the momentum. It’s important to keep you in a good vibe and see what happens in the end."
Qualifying School graduate Axelsen fired four birdies in his final six holes to sign for a third-round 69, while Law closed his 72 with back-to-back birdies.
McKibbin, who graduated from the European Challenge Tour last year, followed up a roller-coaster front nine with eight pars before closing his round with a birdie.
"I’m excited," said McKibbin. "Looking forward to going out there and playing golf.
"I’ll just take it one hole at a time and see where that leaves us at the end of the day.
"(Winning) would mean the world to me. I'll just try not to think about that, go out and play my own game and see where that leaves me at the end of tomorrow."
europeantour.com
Bryan Angus (edit)
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