Olesen Three Up in ISPS Handa Perth International


Thorbjørn Olesen carded a 5-under 67 to take a three-stroke lead in the ISPS Handa Perth International. The European Tour is taking place at Lake Karrinyup Country Club in Australia.

The 24-year-old Dane posted six birdies and a bogey - only his second of the tournament - for a 54-hole total of 16-under 200, well ahead of South Korean Sihwan Kim (69).

Olesen began the third round trailing England's Peter Whiteford by a stroke. But Olesen, whose only victory came in the 2012 Sicilian Open, moved three shots clear of the field with his fine play.

"I tried to go out there and be aggressive like I did the first two days, but I didn't have the game today," he told the European Tour's website. "I didn't feel good - I was struggling out there. I made some great up and downs to keep it going.

"It was a fight all the way through, but I still had fun and I was fighting all the way. Five under is a great score today. It's been a couple of years since I won, so definitely I'll feel the nerves.

"I've been in contention in big tournaments and I know how it feels," said Olesen, who made a good showing at Augusta National Golf Club when he finished tied for fifth in the 2013 Masters. "But it'll be great to get that victory, so it'll definitely be on my mind. I just want to be out there (Sunday), be aggressive, and have fun."

Coming off a 9-under 63 Friday, Brit James Morrison had a 69 to get to 204, while another stroke back is American Peter Uihlein, who fired a 65.

Scotsman David Drysdale (71) and Aussie Richard Green (70) share fifth at 206, while another shot back are Whiteford, who struggled to a 75, Aussie Steve Dartnall (68), South African Charl Schwartzel (70), Denmark's Lucas Bjerregaard (66), England's Mark Foster (67) and Frenchman Gary Stal (67).

In his first competition in three months, Jason Dufner carded a 69 and enters the final round nine strokes behind Olesen.

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014084/leaderboard/index.html.