Oosthuizen ready to strike in Scandinavia

Open champion Louis Oosthuizen gave himself every chance of back-to-back victories following his St. Andrews success after a third round 70 in the Nordea Scandinavian Masters left him just one shot off the leaders.

On a day where many struggled to gain any momentum – the lowest score of the day was 67, scored by Australia’s Mark Brown – Oosthuizen maintained his challenge for a second successive title with a round which featured 4 birdies and 2 bogey to keep on the coat-tails of Korean KJ Choi.

Choi ties for the lead with home player Richard S Johnson after the Korean carded a third round 71, while Johnson scored one better with a 70 to see the duo finish together on 10-under par. Choi’s round included 3 birdies and 2 bogeys but also an incredulous par save on the 13th hole where he had to paddle in the greenside lake – sans socks and shoes – in order to get a stance.

“It (the water) was very cold,” Choi said.

Oosthuizen, trying to become the first player ever to follow an Open Championship victory with another European Tour win a week later, was tied with Johnson and Choi when he pulled his approach to the last into sand. But, after splashing out to 18 feet he missed the putt and dropped back to nine under par.

“I made two thinking errors on the course and it cost me two bogeys.” Oosthuizen said afterwards.

Argentina’s Rafa Echenique shot a 72 to take a share of joint fourth on seven under with Mark Brown, while Italian Edoardo Molinari, who could force himself into the all-important top nine on the European Ryder Cup table with a top two finish, is one shot further back in sixth place.

Meanwhile the sole tipster pick left in the tournament, United States’ Dustin Johnson is in a tie for 19th place after a disappointing 74 saw him slip back to 2-under par. Johnson had clawed his way back to level par for his round after dipping to 3-over par courtesy of an eagle on the 13th and a birdie on the 15th holes, but a double bogey on the 17th undid the good work and leaves an uphill struggle if the tipster to collect.