MUNICH, Germany, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Thomas Bjorn of Denmark had a 6-under-par 66 on Saturday and grabbed a two-shot lead after the third round of the BMW International Open.
Bjorn began the day a stroke behind 36-hole leader Ian Poulter of England but had seven birdies and just one bogey to reach 18-under 198 at Munchen Nord-Eichenreid.
"Got off to a bit of a loose start, hit a few loose shots early on," said Bjorn, a member of the European Ryder Cup team who won here two years ago. "But I did all the things I could do to keep people at bay. That was the important thing."
German favorite Bernhard Langer and Englishman Richard Bland are tied for second at 16-under 200, a stroke better than Poulter and Jamie Spence of England.
Five of the top seven players and eight of the top 14 are from England.
Bjorn sprinkled three birdies on a bogey-free front side before taking control with a string of three consecutive birdies from Nos. 11-13. After his lone bogey at the 14th, he birdied the 16th and lipped out a birdie putt at the 18th.
Ranked 38th in the world, Bjorn is beginning to return to the form that had him in the top 10 last year before he suffered a costly shoulder injury. He has been in the top 10 three times this season, tying for eighth at the British Open.
"It's been a while and it is nice to be in the mix and feel comfortable about it," said Bjorn, who has six wins on the European Tour. "It's been a long time coming, and I feel my game is coming together."
Langer finished a 67 with consecutive birdies to stay close. Everything else seems to be going against the German, who has won just about every title possible in his homeland - except this event - and battled food poisoning Friday.
"I'm not 100 percent, but much better than yesterday," the two-time Masters champion said. "I hope to be in really good shape tomorrow."
Bland had five birdies and two bogeys en route to a 69.
