Monty with commanding 6 shot lead

Colin Montgomerie is on course to clinch a fourth European Tour victory in a season for the first time in his career.

The Scot takes a commanding six-shot lead into Sunday's final round of the Volvo Scandinavian Masters after firing a 65.

Montgomerie, who has one three tournaments in a season four times but never won four, is now 17 under on the Barseback course with his nearest challenger Englishman Paul Broadhurst on 11-under. Defending champion Jesper Parnevik a shot further back on 10-under.

"I was looking for a 67 when I started today so it is a bonus to shoot 65," said Montgomerie.

"I have never gone into a final round leading by six strokes and I don't think anyone is going to catch me - but the word complacency never enters my head.

"Darren Clarke lost a six-shot lead last week so it is possible, but if anyone beats me I'll be the first to shake their hand."

Parnevik is aiming to clinch an automatic place in Europe's Ryder Cup team and victory in Malmo could lift the Swede from 34th place into the top 10.

But even he admitted how difficult it would be to overhaul Europe's top golfer.

"Monty is not a man you want to be six or seven shots behind in the last round," said Parnevik.

"He doesn't let a lead like that go.

"I shall do the best I can to make him worry a little bit," he said, and then joked, "I want to win here because the cheque would put me right in Ryder Cup contention - perhaps Monty doesn't want me in the team!"

The £166,000 first prize would mean Montgomerie would almost certainly hold off the challenge of Lee Westwood in the race to be Europe's top gun and win the Order of Merit for the seventh successive season.

Montgomerie had four birdies in each half. His only blemish was a bogey at the par four sixth, but that followed a 20 minute wait for a ruling in the group ahead and knocked him out of his rhythm.

Broadhurst, the leader after the first round, shot a 68 as did compatriot Englishman David Carter, who shares third place on 10 under with Parnevik after the Swede carded a 69.