Austria’s Katharina Muehlbauer fired a par level round in brutal conditions at Vasterby Links Landeryd to take a six-shot lead heading into tomorrow’s final round.
Muehlbauer got off to a shaky start with three bogeys in her first four holes, yet the 27-year-old fought back to card two more birdies in her front nine.
At the turn Muehlbauer maintained her momentum to card two more birdies including a stunning 30-foot birdie on the 13th.
Speaking about her round, Muehlbauer said: “I’m more than happy with that round. I was not expecting the wind to be that bad. Somehow, we kept it together and I had a lot of luck out there as well.
“I’m more than ready for tomorrow now. I know its going to be windy as well but now I know I can handle it on this course, I can handle it on the other one.
“There is still 18 holes. There is a lot that can happen.”
Muehlbauer currently sits third on the LETAS Order of Merit and enters this tournament from a runner-up position at the Amundi Czech Ladies Challenge where she lost in a play off to 15-year-old French amateur Alice Kong.
Muehlbauer’s last win came in 2023 at the LETAS Trust Link Series at Ramside Hall Golf Club where she led from the second round.
“To win would be amazing, I think the results this season show that I am getting closer and closer. It would be a big relief to know I have a win in my pocket.
“I’m not trying to think too far ahead. I want to go out there tomorrow and do exactly what I did the last three days.”
Six shots behind Muehlbauer lies LETAS’ second-ranked player England’s Gemma Clews who sits solo second on three-under-par.
Clews fired a round of 70 (-1) of five birdies and four bogeys to be in contention tomorrow. Only nine players shot under-par today.
“It was a battle, but we dug deep, stuck to some processes and got through.
“It was great to finish with the birdie on the 18th as it’s a tough finishing hole.”
Clews is excited to head back to Landeryd Masters where she shot a round of level par 72 on the first day.
“It will be nice to go back and play Masters. I’m still a bit far from Kathi but it will be fun to chase her down.”
The three-time LETAS champion already has a win under her belt this year at the Allegria Ladies Open where Muehlbauer finished second.
The two have history this season having both lost out on a win in a playoff at the Amundi Czech Ladies Challenge to 15-year-old amateur Alice Kong.
Clews graduated from LETAS in 2023, but after a difficult year on the course at the LET last season, she failed to retain her playing rights and is now keen to earn them back.
“It’s great to be in the contention again. I have a completely different mindset this year on the golf course. I’m back to me. Working with Becky Brewerton has been a great asset.
“I learn from her every day. I feel a lot more like me on the golf course which is so nice.
Clews is enjoying her stay in Sweden and has already worked out how she would celebrate the win.
“The candy here is the best bit for me. I’m yet to have Swedish meatballs. I’m looking forward to having them at the weekend with cinnamon buns as a celebration.”
Germany’s Hannah Karg, a LETAS rookie sits solo third on two-under-par whilst five players are tied four fourth.
These include local talent amateur Meja Ortengren and Sweden’s Louise Rydqvist who is making her professional debut this week.
The final round begins at 7:00 local time tomorrow with the leaders going out at 13:36.
For more information on the PGA of Sweden Championship, visit letaccess.com and follow @LETAccess on Facebook, Instagram and X – #Access2LET.
