Stenson takes over lead

Henrik Stenson led The Heritage third round by a stroke from countryman Patrik Sjoland as Swedes dominated the leaderboard on Saturday.

Neither have tasted victory for a while but a six-under-par 66 by Stenson took him to 13-under 203 and within sight of his second career title.

Sjoland carded a 67 to stay a shot ahead of Briton Simon Wakefield and as the joint overnight leaders from Britain, Graeme McDowell and Phillip Price, faded, Finland's Mikko Ilonen boosted the Scandinavian challenge by moving into fourth place.

Ilonen is three strokes off the lead after a 65, the best round of the week.

Three years ago Stenson's game was in dissaray and, on the advice of his English caddie Grant Barry, he eventually turned to Pete Cowen, the coach who helped Lee Westwood become European number one.

It has taken until this year for the partnership to really blossom and a second place at the Scandinavian Masters was the reward for their hard work.

A 50ft eagle putt on the long fourth on Saturday boosted his confidence further and provided the cushion he needed to soften the blow of a double-bogey two holes later.

Stenson then managed three birdies in the last five holes to put him in the driving seat.

"I lost it so bad I had to start all over again," said Stenson, who in 2001 led from start to finish to win the Benson and Hedges at The Belfry.

"Swing problems soon become mental problems, so I went to Pete Cowen at the end of 2001 and we worked very hard for all of 2002.

"When I contended so strongly in the Scandinavian Masters this year, I felt I'd finally got it altogether."

Sjoland's second and last victory was a year earlier than Stenson's and the Swede who finished fifth on the European money-list as far back as 1998, is also hoping for a return to the winner's enclosure.

Wakefield and Ilonen, the 2000 British Amateur champion, are both fighting to retain their European Tour cards for next year.

Britain's Simon Dyson ended a bizarre week by hobbling off the course after seven holes with a bad back.

Dyson had been first reserve and was about to tee off when compatriot Zane Scotland went to the wrong tee, only to step down when Scotland arrived just in time.

But Dyson got in later when countryman Andrew Oldcorn pulled out injured, going on to make the cut.

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