Jordan Smith shot a flawless third round 67 to claim the lead in a European Tour event for the first time at the Porsche European Open.
The Challenge Tour graduate from England made five birdies at Green Eagle Golf Courses near Hamburg to reach 12-under-par for the week.
That was two clear of defending champion Alex Levy and Swede Jens Fahrbring.
Richard Sterne vaulted himself into contention and sits in the pack at -9 after his Saturday 66. Sterne bogeyed the sixth after five opening pars and then produced seven birdies in 10 holes to rocket up the leaderboard.
The same could not be said for Charl Schwartzel, who continued to slide down the leaderboard after his opening round had him one off the pace. His delayed second round of 71 was followed by a 73 on Saturday to sit at -5 for the tournament.
Overnight leader Ashley Chesters led for much of the day, but missed several key putts on the back nine to finish with a one-over-par 72.
Levy and Fahrbring signed for rounds of 69 and 70 respectively. England’s Chesters held a one-shot lead when the weather-affected second round was completed on Saturday morning, and converted from inside five feet on the first hole of his third round to get to double figures.
The 27-year-old dropped his first shot of the week at the next when he left a chip from off the green eight feet short, but got the shot back at the third and back-to-back gains at the seventh and eighth – the latter after hitting his tee shot to within a foot – briefly sent him three clear.
However, bogeys at the ninth, 16th and 18th checked his progress, and Smith took full advantage.
Smith took the lead for the first time with a gain from six feet on the 15th and a superb iron to the final green set up a simple two-putt birdie.
There were impressive shots as well as great rounds – with US Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed finishing his second round with a five-wood albatross on the 18th, and home favourite Marcel Siem acing the 17th to win a Porsche on his 400th European Tour appearance.
‘I’m over the moon, I played lovely from tee to green and putted really nicely today,’ said Smith.
“Obviously its long, and thankfully they’ve put the tees forward because it’s playing soft, so it’s just planning your route around the course and taking advantage of the par fives where you can.
‘I’m very excited. It’s been a while since I’ve been in the final group so I’m looking forward to it.’
Photo: Tony Marshall/Getty Images
