Denmark’s Niklas Nørgaard fired an eight-under 64 to open up a four-stroke lead with round one to play at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.
The 32-year-old was two back on Saturday morning but put on an incredible display to reach 16 under par to surge clear of South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, who sits second at The Belfry on 12 under.
Nørgaard showed his intention from the off with a birdie at the first, with another following at the par-five third after seeing an eagle putt burn the edge. He added a third gain at the par-five 7th to make the turn at three under and with the lead.
The two-time Nordic Golf League winner then pressed down his advantage as he entered the back nine, birdieing the Brabazon’s iconic 10th hole after driving the green at the par-four hole, before making it back-to-back red numbers with another three at the par-four 11th.
MONSTER PUTT
He then reeled off a run of three birdies from the 14th which culminated in a monster 42-foot putt down the slope at the par four 16th.
Nørgaard dropped his only shot of the day at next, the par five 17th, after hitting a wayward drive into the trees, but reclaimed that shot in front of a packed 18th hole with a ninth and final birdie to put the finishing touches to a fine round.
The Dane’s third round effort earns him the 54-hole lead for the second successive year at the British Masters after being part of a six-way leading contingent in 2023, but he will have to fend off four-time DP World Tour winner Lawrence who is his closest challenger among the chasing pack.
Frenchman Jeong weon Ko is two shots behind Lawrence in third on ten under, with England’s Andrew Wilson two shots further back after a closing double bogey.
Second round leader Tyrrell Hatton had a torrid day on the Midlands course, with the LIV golfer firing four bogeys and a treble-bogey seven en route to a four-over-par 76 that saw him drop into a share of seventh place and 10 shots off the lead.
For all the scores from the Betfred British Masters, click here.