Home favourite Henrik Stenson and England’s world number 346 Eddie Pepperell shared the lead after the third round of the European PGA Tour’s Swedish Masters in Malmo on Saturday.

The pair led the field on 13 under after Stenson shot a 64 for the best round of the day with Pepperell signing for a 65.

One shot behind came Stephen Gallacher and Alvaro Quiros.

Stenson, the world number two, shot seven birdies and an eagle at the seventh to join overnight leader Pepperell who is searching for his first European Tour win.

I had great fun out there,” said the unheralded Briton.

“I felt comfortable out there.

“It was a great start with three birdies in a row.

“I would like to have finished with a birdie on the last two holes, but I’m not too unhappy about that.”

Stenson, reflecting on his eagle magic at the seventh, said: “I knew it was going to be inside ten feet when I hit it and it landed about five feet away, had a little release and hop and went in.”