Poulter, Westwood share lead

Ian Poulter is chasing a Ryder Cup spot in Malmo

Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter share the lead going into the final round of the Volvo Scandinavian Masters in Malmo.

Westwood carded a 69 and Poulter a 68 to finish on 13 under par at Barseback Golf and Country Club, one shot ahead of Colin Montgomerie and Sweden's Peter Hedblom.

Former Open champion Paul Lawrie is a further shot back after firing a brilliant 65 - the best round of the day.

Hertfordshire-based Poulter, who is chasing his third European Tour title and an automatic qualifying place for the Ryder Cup, was in relaxed mood after his round.

I'm not fazed at all. I never get nervous, I can relax every night with the guys and it will be no different tonight

  Ian Poulter

"I'm not fazed at all. I never get nervous, I can relax every night with the guys and it will be no different tonight," Poulter said.

"I'm here to do a job and it doesn't matter who I play with."

Poulter won the Italian Open last year en route to becoming the European Tour's rookie of the year and added the Moroccan Open title earlier this season.

Of the 10 players between him and the top 10 Ryder Cup places, only Thomas Levet, Ian Woosnam and Andrew Oldcorn made the halfway cut.

Co-leader: Lee Westwood

And with Woosnam well back on one over par and Oldcorn disqualified on Saturday, Poulter is perfectly placed to take advantage.

Westwood, meanwhile, was pleased to hole a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th to tie Poulter for the lead and book his place in the final group on Sunday.

"It was a nice way to finish," said the 28-year-old defending champion.

"It's important to be in the last group because you can see what everyone is doing.

"You can see what's going on in front of you and I'm a great believer in watching the scoreboards.

I'm more or less in total control of the ball and that's great - I'm quietly confident

  Lee Westwood

"It's nice to have holes in credit and know what you have to do."

Westwood claimed to be comfortable with his game.

"I'm more or less in total control of the ball and that's great. I'm quietly confident, but not overly confident, and looking forward to tomorrow."

Lawrie had a new putter to thank for the 65 that thrust him into contention.

"I played lovely and made a few putts for a change," said Lawrie who is 25th in the Ryder Cup standings.

"I will be there or thereabouts on Sunday and if I can get off to a half decent start with the putter, who knows?

"It was fantastic to make the Ryder Cup last time and I would love to make it again."