• BMW Italian Open, Round Three

Swede set for maiden title after round of his life

Fredrik Andersson Hed is on course to win his first title on the European Tour © Getty Images

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Sweden's Fredrik Andersson Hed was on sparkling form as he extended his lead to six shots at the BMW Italian Open in Turin with a stunning nine-under 63.

His approach play onto the greens was so impressive that the Swede needed just 20 putts to wrap up an impressive 18 holes to move to 17-under-par, six shots clear of Miguel Angel Jimenez. As he moved a step closer to claiming his maiden European Tour title, Hed Andersson admitted he had enjoyed the best round of his life.

"I don't think I have ever played this good in a round before," he told Sky Sports.

Jimenez had matched his playing partner virtually shot-for-shot as they shared the lead for much of the round, but three bogeys on the back nine after five straight birdies saw his challenge falter. The Dubai Desert Classic champion has been the model of consistency over three rounds in Turin, carding his third sub-70 round.

England's Chris Wood hit a flawless 65 to put the pressure on the leaders on ten-under-par. The 22-year-old, who was three-under after the opening two rounds, hit seven birdies, including four in a row between 11 and 14.

And Wood, who made his Masters debut in Augusta last month, is confident of catching the leaders.

"I won't mind being a couple of shots behind," Wood told Sky Sports. "I really feel like I am playing that well and I am going to give myself a lot of chances tomorrow."

Wood is tied for third with Scotland's Peter Whiteford, David Horsey and Belgium's Nicolas Colsaerts. Whiteford's bogeyless 66 saw him move into contention, while two bogeys on the back nine saw Colsaerts end the day on three-under.

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