Flying start to final round sees Alex Noren storm into lead at Crans-sur-Sierre

04 September 2016 12:53

A brilliant burst of scoring put Sweden's Alex Noren in pole position to win a second Omega European Masters title at Crans-sur-Sierre on Sunday.

Noren began the final round a shot behind Australia's Scott Hend, but quickly wiped out that deficit with a birdie on the first and then added four more in succession from the sixth.

That took the 2009 champion to the turn in just 30 shots and, at 17 under par, into a two-shot lead over Hend, who had picked up shots on the fifth and the ninth.

England's Richard Bland, who is seeking his first European Tour title at the 390th attempt, was a shot further back after following a bogey on the fourth by holing his approach to the fifth for an eagle and then carding birdies on the sixth and seventh.

The destiny of the title looked to be in the hands of the leading trio, with Lee Westwood and France's Julien Quesne another three strokes back with only three and four holes remaining respectively.

Westwood's Ryder Cup team-mate Matt Fitzpatrick was a shot behind on 10 under, the 22-year-old continuing a brilliant fightback after being seven over par for 14 holes on Thursday and having to birdie four of the last five on Friday to make the halfway cut.

Fitzpatrick had added a 66 in the third round and was six under par for the day with two holes to play.

Source: PA