English golfer Lee Westwood kept the chasing pack at bay to maintain a three-shot lead going into the final round of the European Tour’s Nordea Masters in Stockholm on Friday.

A day after carding a stunning 64, a round of 68 was good enough for the world No.3 to maintain the advantage he enjoyed at the halfway stage at Bro Hof Slott Golf Club.

Westwood finished the day on 16 under, with fellow Englishman Ross Fisher second at 13 under after a superb 65 and Ryder Cup teammate Peter Hanson of Sweden a shot further shot back in third after a battling 69.

Marcus Fraser is the best-placed Australian at nine under in a tie for seventh.

“I didn’t get into too much trouble – I had a bit of a flyer on the second and that was the only bogey I made all day,” Westwood said.

Westwood started with a birdie on the par-five first, but that flier on the second saw him run up a bogey five.

He bounced back with a stunning approach to the par-three fourth which finished just inches from the flag to set up the easiest of birdies.

A number of other chances went begging on the front nine before Westwood rolled in a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th to ensure he would keep his nose in front following yesterday’s superb 64.

Westwood and Hanson played together for the third day running, with the Swede doing well to remain in contention after running up a double-bogey six on the eighth to be out in 37.

Four birdies on the back nine saw Hanson home in 32 to finish 12 under, but Fisher will partner Westwood tomorrow after his super round.