Saturday September 05, 2009, 04:08 PM

Swedish outsider Alexander Noren carded an eight-under 63 on Saturday to open up a two-shot lead over South Africa's Charl Schwartzel after the third round of the European Masters.

The 27-year-old Swede, who has never won a European Tour title, is on 15 under par for the tournament after at one stage being three behind Schwartzel before he went eagle-birdie-birdie.

"I played pretty much the same as yesterday, but was seven shots different and that was pretty much seven putts different," said Noren.

"The greens are good, but as soon as you start missing you start forcing them. Today I was calmer and 'letting it happen' as the mental coaches would say."

Schwartzel shot 65, but it could have been better had he not taken a six at the 516 yard 15th where his drive found the trees.

Overnight leader Thomas Aiken of South Africa slumped to a three-over 74 and is now nine shots off the lead.

Wales's Bradley Dredge, the winner here in 2006, is three off the lead after a third round 68.

In an event co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour, Filipino Angelo Que was the best of the Asian players with a three-under-par 68 leaving him four shots behind Noren.

The 30-year-old Que produced four birdies against a bogey while Thai star Thongchai Jaidee shot a 67 to end the day a further stroke back.

"I'm very pleased. I started really well but all of a sudden, I wasn't holing putts," said Que.

"I had a few close calls but all in all, I'm still happy playing in a big event and still in contention. Four shots back, anything can happen on Sunday."

Thongchai, Asia's number one in 2001 and 2004, reaped the rewards of a new putter in his bag when he fired a 67 to remain five off the lead in tied seventh place, thanks to five birdies against a lone bogey.

After taking 34 putts in the second round, the former paratrooper switched his putter and it worked nicely.

"I putted better, no three putts today. I changed my putter this morning and it helped," said Thongchai.

"I certainly putted better than yesterday, taking 29 putts compared to 34."

© 2009 AFP/sid