Intro:

Alex Noren defies strong winds to fire a best-of-the-day 67 and open up a two-shot lead at the Nordea Masters in Sweden.

Script:

Sweden's Alex Noren leads the Nordea Masters after the third round.

The home favourite had the round of the day, beginning with four birdies in his first five holes.

Noren went out in 33 and two birdies at the 10th and 11th took him to eleven under par.

A dropped shot at the 16th showed that the pressure was mounting but Noren recovered and a fairway wood at the 18th set up a chance of an eagle.

He missed that but a tap-in birdie gave him a round of 67 -- five-under par on the day -- and Noren will take a two shot lead into the final round.

SOUNDBITE (English) Alex Noren, leader after three rounds:

"The year has been fantastic and a few good finishes and steadier play... I'm really trying to work on, you know, hitting the right shot at the right times..."

The decisive round tees off on Sunday.